BLUE Pick up truck...robberies?
 

While we were in our neighborhood today we saw a little blue, beat up, old navy blue pick up truck parked outside of our neighbors home. There were two 20 something yr old men in the front and two young women, who were out of the truck and approaching our neighbors front door. Our neighbor is a single 80+ yr old man....who recently had a stroke.


Friends were there as well and they both said call 911 ASAP....so they were called, as well as Community Watch. CW was on the scene before everyone could count to 10.

They claimed to be lawn people...soliciting new customers(no soliciting in TV's is allowed). CW asked them to leave. They did. 911 responded by following them out of the Village....

4 hours later as I was coming from Rainee Trail on Buena Vista towards 466....two undercover cop cars and a sheriff's car had this truck pulled over at Laurel Manor Rec Center. All passengers were out of the truck and being spoken to by the police.

Thank you...but I won't take credit...our friends saw them first and came running into the house....it was GREAT to see the sherrif's office watching them and following them....also KUDOS to the Community Watch!!

PS....this is located NORTH of 466....it happens everywhere....we just have to be protective of our property and our neighbors.

Cassie, thanks for reporting this. It is heartwarming to hear about neighbors watching out for other neighbors. What a great Bubble we live in.

Additional information from one of our neighbors this morning...
 

Just rec'd some new (I think) information about the rash of burglaries in The Villages -- latest one last night in Virginia Trace.

Be on the lookout for a younger-type woman walking in the streets talking on a phone - she is the accomplice to a male driving around in an old-type upholstery van -- panel type they think. Call 911 immediately if you see anything suspicious. Most incidents occur between 6:00 and 9:00 pm. Police advised to be very wary and alert -- put wooden dowels in the bottom of your sliding doors as an extra precaution - do not leave windows open -- leave lights on when not there or a radio/TV -- ask neighbors to watch your house if you are gone for a few hours -- hide your jewelry well - take pictures of expensive items -- lock your doors during the day even if you are there.

Because of the lousy economy, more and more bad people are going to be looking for an easy mark to hit and there are plenty of them here - don't be among the sorry few.

Don't they have Alarm systems in Florida?

Doors
 

Wooden dowels don't do any good. Sliding doors are opened by thieves by prying them up from the bottom and off their track - not sliding them.

A double sliding door on the back of your house is the most vulnerable entrance (next to an open or unlocked window).

Good work Cassie. You should wear a uniform!

Skip

Who is they?

:boxing2: A uniform....perhaps I will join the Sumter Sherrif's office. I look good in green.:1rotfl::1rotfl:

Got to love these men and women!! I have seen them riding around the neighborhoods on golf carts...in full uniform! I LOVE IT!!



HOWEVER....please know/remember that there were 3 other people involved. I will not take full credit!!

Good Job!
 

Thanks to good, watchful neighbors & all those who protect & serve, officially & sponsored by The Villages. I've read about some of the great things that the Sheriff's office & their K-9 department have done, & have been impressed, & happy when they've received their accolades. We must all be vigilant. Report anything suspicious, no matter how you might worry about feeling foolish, or are reluctant to get involved. These people have to know that we won't put up with the invasion of our homes.

Hahaha!
 

Carole, your line about "you might worry about being foolish" really struck home with me! When we first moved her from Chicago, I actually called the Sheriff's office because I woke up and saw cows, COWS, across the street. I freaked out! Hahaha! :1rotfl: It seems that the farmers are still allowed to use that land until The Villages build on it. Who knew! Needless to say, the Sheriff's office was quite amused but were extremely polite. So, folks, you can't get more foolish than that! :o Please report anything suspicious you see. ;) p.s. I love looking at those cows now and will feel sad when they are removed.

Put it in print!
 

Imagine how in the dark you would be about this if you didn't view this forum. This is a serious problem that will be best managed by every Villages resident being informed. This problem should be on the front page of the Daily Sun with advice from the sheriff on how to stay safe and how to report suspicious behavior. I bet the majority of Villagers have no idea this is happening.

R~

I think you would be surprised at how many emails have been sent out. I believe that I have personally received at least 10 different versions of the email. I of course have sent them to many people as well....and my guess is everyone else has as well. Those that have received any emails have more than likely sent it on...AND told friends and neighbors verbally. I think a lot of people know what is going on....it would be good if more knew....BUT...

If the news was published in the The Sun....well that would upset new or potential buyers!! JMO

It was in the paper along with advice on how to be safe. How much hand holding is necessary?

It was reported in the Sun. I hope I remember correctly. There were two break ins with Jewelry stolen and two attempted break ins in about the same time frame, in the same general area.(Sabal Chase) The time was between six and nine in the evening on Friday and Saturday of last week. Most people go out to dinner on the weekend. They suspect a young couple on foot who parked in a recreation center lot.

Is that right, friends?