Another theft of jewelry in Marion County part of Villages
 

From this morning's Daily Sun...

A Villages couple reported a burglary and the theft of more than $4000 in jewelry and cash Monday afternoon, according to Marion County Sheriffs records.

At approximately 2:45 p.m., according to the incident report, deputies responded to a home on 8300 block of SE 177 Bartram Loop in The Villages.

There, a couple told deputies that they left the home unsecured at about 10:35 a.m. and returned at at about 2:20 p.m. and found their doors locked, the report stated. Inside, the couple noticed their dining room window partially open and the screen missing and called 911.

According to the incident report, deputies noted that an unidentified suspect had attempted to force open a dead bolted lanai door and was unable to gain entry, and then found that the dining room window was unlocked and pried off the screen.

According to the report, a lieutenant who later arrived at the home discovered a foot print next to the fence that separates the home's property with a neighboring farm's driveway, as welll as tire tracks that appeared to have made a U-turn heading back in the direction of County Line Road.

Deputies believe the suspect moved to the master bedroom and targeted the homeowner's jewelry boxes taking pieces valued at $4,300, searched an office and stole an envelope with $200 in cash and a video camera valued at $200 in the office closet, the report said.

According to the report, officials found it unusual that the suspect did not steal other electronics in the home.

Investigation in the case is ongoing.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Marion County sheriff's office at 732.9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368.7867

This area is close, across Buena Vista, from the other burglary reported on Friday.

Why would anyone leave their home unsecured? That is just asking for problems. I think that to many people are starting to believe that this is the "Friendliest Home Town" in Florida. Bad people also read this and then look for those that don't take simple precautions of securing their home and property. More and more of this type of crime might be on the rise as more and more people get deeper in debt and can not provide for their family or take care of their drug habit. It won't be long before one of these home invasions will happen while the home owner is there and then we could be reading about a real serious crime.

Folks, lock your doors and windows.

I also see how TOTV's openly discuss whether or not they have alarm systems or where they keep their valuables hidden. We all are guilty of making in known that we are away for a while. When we snowbird. When we visit/ or vacation. Beware all. You don't have to be a Village property owner to access this web page. The electronic age makes it very easy for the wrong people to know about you. Everyone- don't be so open about your secutity or lack of it.

Tom,

You are right of course, but these two events, to me, have NOTHING to do with anyone knowing if we are presently occupying a home...or whether it has a security system.

There ARE similarities that are intriging. Within a VERY close area in Marion County. Jewelry the target in both. During the daylight when the owners are away for a few hours. Unlocked, then left locked.

I betcha this is gonna be solved...soon.

Gracie who has nothing valuable except Sweetie and Helene.

I would place my bets on either young relatives visiting grandparents up in that area or someone disguised as a worker (telephone repairer, plumber, etc) who is scoping out houses while sitting nearby in an official looking truck. Waits for someone to leave the house, tries the doorbell to make sure no one else is at home and then breaks in for a quick in and out.

I would hope the Marion County sheriff office is checking the pawnshops in Ocala, Summerfield, and area for pawned jewelry.

It is possible the burglar(s) had prior knowledge of expensive jewelry in the homes.

Gracie,

What are you thinking??? You point out some interesting facts.

Oh... and in case any one is interested... I buy ALL my jewelry at K-mart!!!!

Tom, you are absolutely right. We grow careless on TOTV, thinking we are speaking to just a few friends.

I'd just like all burglars to know that when we're not in residence, I have no jewellery at all, and no hidden valuables! And when we are in residence, I still have no jewellery, and a huge, growly, mean dog. Well, I'm lying about the mean dog, but not about the lack of valuables. :doggie:

I'm bothered by the "tagging" where you are by mobile phone on FB.

And to say that people you know wouldn't rob you... many identity thefts and home invasions are done by people you know.

Also.....
 

I have dogs!!! KILLER dogs!!!!

Are the gates the only way to get into the various villages? If so, is it possible to have cameras posted at the entrances with signs stating so? It's not a solution but could be a deterrent.

One time we had an unknown truck pull out of, and then back into our home. It was BIL. Pulled back in to get something forgotten. Neighbors did not recognize the truck or him and his wife, thought it looked suspicious and called the sheriff's office. Neighbor even gave the deputy the license number. BIL got a call from officer after the license number was traced to his truck. We were called as well, and an officer came out to the house to investigate.

The moral of the story is we can all do our part by watching out for our neighbors. Were we angry that we had nosy neighbors inTV? Shoot no. We were grateful. Don't be afraid to report something that looks suspicious. Even if it turns out to be innocent. Next time it might not be.

Let's all try to be aware of vehicle and foot traffic in the neighborhood.

See fourth order of businees in minutes of ACC meeting.
http://www.districtgov.org/PDFView/P...20111109aa0301

Thanks Bogie!! Guess it wasn't a dumb question after all :).

Cameras
 

Wow better smile when we go thru Trish , and make sure proper Attire is worn!

Interesting read on the Camera study. Probably a very good idea. In NY it stopped a lot of trouble on School Bus.

Even without home invasions think about walking in on a burglary in progress. The guy could be a two strike criminal who will kill to not be caught again. This is not an uncommon situation and why some carry their legally concealed guns even in TV. It sure beats pleading for your life. :) TV's streets are open to anyone so we are subject to the same crime that anyone else in our counties are. I never understood why so many think we are secure although many still think we are a gated community. Senior citizens are prime targets for criminals as most cannot defend themselves. Heck, almost half of the homes are occupied on and off by people I do not know. They could be robbing the place for all I know. :)

There are those here who advogate carrying guns at all times and there are those that feel it is not necessary here in The Villages.

Both sides feel strongly, passionately, seriously, obsessively, religiously, politically, completely, and outspokenly that they are right.

This is the first time in my whole life, and in case any of you have forgotten this, I was born in '39, that I personally have run into the gun carrying philosophy.

Heated discussion to follow.

p.s. It wouldn't have deterred either of these burglaries ...but...A really good hidden safe embedded in something like concrete might have. I dunno. I only have my wedding rings, my Miraculous medal and a couple of grandmother charms.

2d Admendant
 

"Both sides feel strongly, passionately, seriously, obsessively, religiously, politically, completely, and outspokenly that they are right."

I agree Gracie. I don't think anyonw should own a pistol with a safety training course and a class on how to operate and shoot the weapon they purschased.

http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=t9p5hlQCicI

I got this sent to me by e-mail not sure how I feel about it. Waiting for my professional self defense gun safety instructors to weigh in please

H

If you are thinking of getting a safe don't get a safe that is designed for cash or gold. Get a big gun safe.
Anyone that sees a normal safe will think that you have cash or gold to hide.
Anyone that sees a gun safe will think that you have a lot of guns.

Never had either, never have seen either, never have needed either or guns.

security measures to take
 

Put various lights on your home on timers. Set them to go on and off at varied times - not at the same time.
Leave a radio station on a timer that has talk especially if you are gone for an extended time. Burglars don't want to be there when they think people are home. Stand out side your house and make sure you can hear it well enough so that it sounds like people talking but not quite loud enough to hear it clearly.
Put a large water bowl on your lanai if you are going to be gone for a while so Fido can get a drink and a couple of big bones. Give the perception of a large dog's presence. Burglars don't want to mess with dogs if they don't have to.
Don't make your lanai an advertisement for your not being home. Furniture removed or stacked.
Walk around your house before you leave and notice if it looks like someone is going to be gone for awhile.
Just some thoughts. My brother was a police officer and said you can fool the amatuers. You won't fool the professionals.

Gov. Of Minnesota
 

I still like the sign that the ex Gov. [Ventoria] of Minnesota posted on the entrance to his ranch.. It was "We don't call 911!".:bigbow:.

Story from a Kansas State
Highway Patrol officer :
I made a traffic stop on an elderly lady the other day for speeding
on U.S. 166 Eastbound at Mile Marker 73 just East of Sedan , KS.
I asked for her driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance.
The lady took out the required information and handed it to me.
In with the cards I was somewhat surprised (due to her advanced age)
to see she had a conceal carry permit. I looked at her and ask if
she had a weapon in her possession at this time.
She responded that she indeed had a .45 automatic in her glove box.
Something---body language, or the way she said it---made me want
to ask if she had any other firearms. She did admit to also having
a 9mm Glock in her center console. Now I had to ask one more
time if that was all. She responded once again that she did have
just one more, a .38 special in her purse. I then asked her what
was she so afraid of.
She looked me right in the eye and said, "Not a ****ing thing!":coolsmiley:

Another Reminder
 

These type reports are just another reminder that no matter where you live, always lock your doors regardless of how long you plan to be gone. Also, double check (periodically) to insure your windows are locked. We occasionally open windows for fresh air and (at my age) forget to lock them back! :)

We always think this only happens to the other guy. REMEMBER, to me, YOU are the other guy!
:spoken:

ADvise
 

JGbama- Good common sense Advise. I love the Titantic joke

Shadow- Good one also!

this is classic! Only on TV would I read this!!!