Burglary in Fernandina
 

I'm not trying to cause panic. People need to be vigilant. Our community is growing. There are problems in every community and we are not exempt from crime.

This afternoon around 1 o'clock there was a problem on Allaire Loop in the Village of Fernandina. The front door was kicked in. It was a nice home backing up to a golf course.

Of course, the Sumter Sheriff is handling the situation.

Be vigilant!!!! Keep an eye out for your neighbors.

it is scaring that thief's coming at daylight. I think we all should watch out what is going on around our area.
When I visited TV in 2010 nobody was talking about burglary.

I am opening myself up for serious criticism here, but I respectfully request the OP give a link or some accreditation to what you post. Be very specific please.

This is becoming, from my point of view, a VERY poor and childish joke.

There are ways to validate claims of crime sprees, etc.....with the sheriffs office, and weekly (I think it is weekly) police calls are published in the Daily Sun.

If I am wrong, I am sorry, in my feeling that TOTV is become a home for some very immature people who are what I think the term is "flaming".

Again, if I am wrong, I am sorry, but if correct someone has to stop it.

I believe that Allure Loop is in the Village of Buttonwood. ALLAIRE Loop is in Fernandina. :confused:

Bucco, I feel OscarOlden is legit and this probably happened. Part of the problem is the constant crowing about snowbirds coming and going and the word may be out there that people in The Villages often travel for the holidays.

Sooner, probably rather than later, someone breaking into these homes is going to run into an armed resident. That's a frightening scenerio and the perp's simple burglary becomes something very serious. I hope the authorities can get a handle on this quick break-in and run problem.

I once again have to agree with Bucco. I would like to see the cite from either a newspaper or a sheriff report instead of just someone overhearing from a friend's friend at the pool.

I believe a kicked in door could happen but I would like to see something official that would validate it as being real.

If so, I apologize. I cannot imagine posting these things with no validation. It always bothers me that people feel the can just say things on here..that is childish.

I have lived here for approx 13 years, and what people have been posting is totally foreign, and I speak with many many folks in the course of a day. It just seems the "reports" are coming from "newer" members of TOTV, in some cases if you read past posts what seems to be an agenda.

Any adult who runs to TOTV to yell crime wit so little attempt at validation bothers me.

If wrong...sorry, but my gut usually sends me in the right direction

Believe what you want
 

Why would you think someone would post something like this if it weren't true??? I, for one, am getting tired of good people on here trying to alert others of danger and then being told in a round about way they are not credible. The OP doesn't have to prove anything because I don't believe they would post something like this without knowing that it happened. Come on, give us a break and thank the person for letting us know we need to be extra diligent about our security and safety. Just stop it already.

I called!
 

I know these stories to be true because I am hearing them from a reliable source who can not come forward for fear of losing their job.

That being said... I took the liberty of calling the Sumter County Sheriff's Office who confirmed the break ins to be true. He said he couldn't give me any other information because there is an investigation going on

The homes do not appear to be homes of people who are snowbirds or homes of people on vacation. But homes that people are living in at the time.

Someone posted that we watch each others homes. I looked down my street and I can't see any of the doors of my neighbors. We all have deep entryways that can't be seen from the other homes.

I know there are people here who do not believe this. I don't care. So.. It didn't happen to you.. It's happening to MY neighbors and I care that it stops. Just because you don't believe it doesn't mean it didn't happen. I called the Sheriffs office, you didn't take a minute to call! Easy fix.. Make that call!!!

This is the email I sent to my neighbors....


I don't know if people are aware of it... But there have been quit a few burglaries in The Villages.

For some reason the information isn't being passed around and this is making us easy pickins....

There have been several homes that the front door has been kicked in and the homes have been robbed in a very short period of time. I heard from a reliable source there was another one today on Allaire Loop. The information I have received is there's been break-ins in Sanibel, Collier, Hillsborough and today would be Fernandina.... The homes are homes where people are living now. Not snowbirds or people on vacation. People leave for an hour or two and when they return they have been robbed. They are taking the jewelry and money laying around. I know that one went though the front door and went out the back to a car waiting for them in the Bonifay parking lot. The one today was said to be on the golf course.

As many of you know... I am not adverse to stopping people on the street and asking your business here if you look suspicious, a car I don't recognize or parked in a place that doesn't seem right. I also have no problems calling the police on my neighbors home if I see something suspicious. (sorry Dave and Diane) It's hard to see our neighbor's front doors with the entryways, so we really have to pay attention. Keep an eye out when you leave to see if anyone is watching the houses.

Please pay more attention to what is going on around you. Get license numbers... Ask questions. And PLEASE... let that first call be to the Police! The VCDD has no authority! Put the Sumter County Police in your phone for quick access!

Please pass this information along... not to alarm... but to arm. We can deal with what we know. And.... If you hear anything or see anything... Please let the rest of us know... Knowledge is power!

Thank you,

I question the credibility of the people who won't even call to verify the information... They are the same people in every thread! I knew it was true... I still made the call.... It's not in the paper and there isn't anyplace you can find it. But you can talk to a deputy... I did!

"I know these stories to be true because I am hearing them from a reliable source who can not come forward for fear of losing their job." What kind of job does this reliable source hold?

You can certainly tell us the general source such as "from a Villages sales agent" or a bartender at City Fire, can't you? I would find it more believable if a paper such as The Daily Commercial or the Villages-bashing Orlando Sentinel would have something in it citing several occupied homes in The Villages have had doors kicked in during broad daylight. I am quite sure the Sentinel would have such a story.

Why would someone do that ? Ask those who do to get that answer. It has happened. As I said, if I am wrong, I am sorry.

I have lived here for many years, and do not subscribe to vigilante behavior OR talk. Flamers on the internet are not unusual. In the years I have been here, the sheriffs office and the paper have been pretty good at issuing warnings...once as I recall using the reverse 911.

I will not disparage The Villages, the newspapers or anyone with the very shallow info that has been posted.

I will give you a reliable source... The Sheriffs office! That's about as reliable as I can give you! I told you... I called the Sumter County Sheriffs office!

From what I can see.... There are a couple of trolls on here. The people stirring the pot are not the people trying to let people know what is going on.

Believe it... Don't believe it. I will leave it to everyone else to decide. I don't know.... But I'm just thinking that you don't speak for everyone. *smile*

Thanks very much...thought it was true but good to know for sure. May be tough to stop unless everyone gets on board..

Facts not Fiction
 

It was on Allaire Loop Village of Fernandina, Yes it sounds like Allure Loop which is in not in the area.

1: Sumter Sheriff called Community Watch Dispatch to inform them of the situation.

2: Community Watch South Supervisor was dispatched by Community Watch to meet the Sumter Sheriff on scene.

3: Suspect is a young White male. Black Pants, Black Backpack, Black Bandana

4: Sheriff Dogs were tracking.

5: Situition is still under investigation.


Some Advise-

People in that area should keep garage doors down.

All Home doors locked.

Do not advertise that you are leaving, always make it appear someone is home.

Neighbors watch out for each other. Please report all suspicious individual(s) and call 911 immediately.

Most home intrusions occur between 12-4 ( yes there has been more than one in the last few months.)

There is no hype on this post just facts. It did occur.

All records of events are open for the public to view at community watch.

Many times police events are given to the HOA for posting at a later event by the Sheriff.

The crime rate is under .8% in The Villages. Let us respect the poor victims who were part of that .8 %.

To them it is very real, it did happen.

Angie, it's good to know you have the first hand information. Would you please share with us the exact number of break-ins and also the name of the deputy with whom you spoke?

Perhaps this information would allow us to contact local elected officials with the number of incidences and ask for an update as to how the authorities are proceeding.

Thank you!!!!

To the person who asked all the questions. I don't know the exact number of break ins in This area... I know of five now since I've moved in. There could be more. I've heard of others and have no reason to believe they aren't true. Good source.

I told you what my husband told me he saw in court.

I didn't write down the name of the deputy I spoke to. I only cared to verify.

That is all..... I out!

Again... Carguys... Thank you!!!!

Truth not fiction
 

Thank you CarGuys. We all need to heed your advice.

My neighbor and I were outside around the corner and were concerned with all the sherrifs cars and unmarked car that were going up and down our street. Now we know. oy

I kNOW and trust CARGUY.


Happinow, we KNOW YOU and trust you but so many people are totally anonymous on here and they can or cannot be truthful. A little skepticism is a good thing.


It would be gullible to swallow stuff from someone who we have little or no history reading on this forum or from someone who has always enjoyed stirring things up.

Holidays are always a time when burglars take advantage of people going out to other's homes or traveling. Being extra careful and extra vigilant in the next few weeks is probably a good idea. Probably a better idea is to make it a habit. Lightbulb moment: This is when it actually pays off to have a barking dog. :)
In all seriousness, we are smaller village communities and we should be able to recognize people that are out of place. If you see something that seems off, it probably is.

Angie, Carguy provided the info I wanted. (I had a phone call from the time I started my post, I should have checked before I hit the submit button.)

"Be able to recognize people that are out of place"?

To some extent, that is true. If I would see a car cruising back and forth slowly on the street several times, I would get suspicious. If I saw a young person walking down the street, no problem. Common sense applies to all situations.

If you are worried about a break-in, get a home alarm system. If a 110db siren goes off when the door is kicked in, the burglar is not going to stay around and take something. Most are around $45 per month for monitoring.

I bet someone will post here that it is just as effective to get the yard sign saying you have an alarm. Don't be cheap if you are seriously worried!

Let's play detective
 

Maybe when you leave your home take a look down the streets. If you see a car parked in the street, as you drive by look to see if anyone is in it. Check to see if maybe someone is crouched down on the seat. If so, take down the license plate. If there's someone in a car parked on the street then be a bit suspicious. Maybe don't leave home right then? It can never hurt to be cautious, and the plate number may help police solve these crimes. We may have to go above and beyond until someone is caught. As I see it the perps are staking out the homes. They would have to be close enough to your house to see you leave. I don't know. Just trying to come up with ideas to catch these creeps!

Sadly, I remember when a few homes were broken into around Stillwater and Canal a few years ago. The reports of these incidents were also disbelieved on here. It took a regular poster's home being burglarized before many here believed it had occurred. It also caused a few good folks to leave TOTV and never return. Worse, they told their friends how unwelcomed they had been and how they had been called liars because they tried to warn people here that homes were being burglarized.

It seems that even TOTV history repeats itself. It didn't happen to you; it wasn't reported in the newspaper; and so on and so forth so, of course, it didn't really happen and the person reporting it is a troll. Maybe rather than insisting that the folks reporting issues like this prove it happened, those who doubt could pick up their phones and call the appropriate county sheriff to see if a break-in or two had in fact occurred and then report what was said by the deputy. That way, we'd definitely know if it was a troll or someone trying to be helpful and warning us this is occurring.

Here is an email sent to neighbors from the owners who were robbed in Fernandina yesterday. Why do we have so many "doubting Susan's"???


Thought everyone should know, our house was robbed while we at the grocery store. Only gone about an hour. Took cash and jewelry but search all drawers and closets. Even took tools from garage and broke open a small safe with just important documents inside.
Got in by prying open slider on back of house. Police came and got a lot of finger prints off door and safe. Hope they catch the sob.
We're ok but feel violated.
Tell all neighbors to be on the lookout for strangers in the area.

Thank you for this real information. It wasn't a kick in front door but it was a middle of the day crime. Friends who live in a gated community in Sarasota had a similar thing happen there, a series of burglaries in broad daylight when people weren't home... and it was found to be landscapers/yard maintenance people who would watch when people would leave together.


Seems like neighbors could help with who was there at the time of the other burglaries. That is probably being done and I feel these low lifes will be caught. Another thing...a lot of security cameras being used even in residential areas will help solve this too. I HOPE.


In answer to WHY do we have so many "Doubting Susan's" is to believe everything posted on a public forum would be naïve, particularly because some people do not know the facts or present them accurately. I have read this forum for a long time and rumors and half truths are the order of the day.. Some posters are always, always dependable but many other's don't jump, they LEAP to conclusions and present gossip as fact.


Skepticism is healthy. It would be silly to trust information that has no reasonable or credible back up.


The reasons WHY posters would lie are many. NOT everyone can live here and many feel left out and bitter.

Great post Angie...........

I'm with you. Too much dissension on here, just for the sake of it. As The Villages grow, so does the opportunities for the "bad guys". I am guessing it is the "NEW" areas, and being posted by the "NEW" people, because we still have a lot of construction going on in our areas, and not too many people question unknown/unmarked cars and trucks driving driving around, assuming it's legit. As posted by both you AND Angiefox...we just need to PAY ATTENTION. If it doesn't happen great, if we can stop one incidence, you did good!! I for one, Thank You for reminding me to be aware.

I suspect that several factors are at work which make new areas more attractive targets.
1. There are lots and lots of pickup trucks and work vans coming and going. No one thinks it odd to see a work van parked on a residential street.
2. The unattended gates are set in the up position for the day (to facilitate easy entry by trucks) or open automatically for everyone.
3. New area = new residents = new stuff. No one wants a 10 year old TV.
4. In new areas, neighbors are still learning each other's patterns.
5. Remember, you may not think that you are "rich", but for someone living on minimum wages, you have lots more than they do. And that makes you good pickings.

Everybody.......please.......think about getting a security system!

Got one, a five shot and the other one is a six shot.

the problem with guns and these break ins is that the owners are absent. a gun in the drawer is just a bonus for these thieves.

OH, for Pete's sake. (who is Pete anyway?) Can't we just take the advice as given, be more cognizant of what's going on in the neighborhood, and leave it at that? What's with all the "false reporting" and fact finding. These so-called trolls are having a field day with all this dissension, if the "troll" thing is even true...hmmmm, maybe you made that up...gimme some facts. C'mon people...

For whatever reason, I feel obligated to post something on this as I was one who, and to a different degree still do, was a doubter.

I have been posting on this TOTV for a number of years, and have lived in The Villages for many many, and can tell you a few things.

First, people who post on message boards do not always tell the truth. I am open to discussion on subjects, but enjoy those on which the discussion is based on facts that can be validated with links, etc. There have been many many false reports on here on a number of subject.

For me, if I was a victim, this probably might be the last place I would go to share, but then again, I am not big into sharing my life with anyone (much much too boring).

Secondly, there is crime in The Villages. To me, that is just a fact as it is all over this country. As long as there has been construction in The Villages, there have been break ins.

Fact that I posted what I did does not represent a lack of feeling for those who are victims.

The Sumter Co. Sheriff is being proactive and watching out for us. Last Monday morning at 1:53AM My kids were driving in from out of state. They had been on the road for 11 hours and were exactly 1 mi. from our house. They were stopped on Morse Blvd just above 466A by a Deputy for having a license plate light out. The deputy looked inside the vehicle and asked how many people were in it. Here we had a white F150 pick-up from out of state at 2 AM. Good profile. I'm happy to see they are looking out for us. BTW he gave them a warning for the light (when he pulled in the driveway we found the light was fine)

Just curious as to how many people would like to have ALL arrests published in the Sun. It would be quite the police blotter but would also be informative. I read the Star Banner and it does contain this info for Marion County.
Would it be worth it? Does it matter? Would you feel safer knowing or threatened? Does anybody care if there was a meth bust in Coleman or Umatilla?
I've mentioned this on another thread that my hometown paper did this on all arrests. Just asking if it would be "needed"?

I LIKE to know what is happening. I like the police blotter because it reports arrests and doesn't sensationalize.

I think this is a good question, jbdlfan. Personally, I would like this information very accessible but not printed in the Daily Sun. My preference would be for the villages dash news to carry this info. I want the Sun to provide the information to me in the form it is currently delivered and that would alleviate any angst against the Sun in the event something is missed or misstated. I could tap into the villages dash news anytime I wanted a police blotter fix.

Great advice!
 

Thanks for posting and giving us good info. Thanks to OP for info....even though he was attacked by some. I've said for a long time that it's better to be more safe than sorry.