[OscarOlden]

This thread is not meant to cause panic but to educate.

Early this morning between 1:15 and 4:00 AM, there was a break-in at a home in Miona Shores. The residents were sleeping. Items of value were taken.

Of course, the sheriff's office was notified and they are checking the gate cameras.

The fact remains that The Villages is probably one of the safest communities to live in an area of over 100,000 residents. However, we must remain vigilant.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by OscarOlden

This thread is not meant to cause panic but to educate.

Early this morning between 1:15 and 4:00 AM, there was a break-in at a home in Miona Shores. The residents were sleeping. Items of value were taken.

Of course, the sheriff's office was notified and they are checking the gate cameras.

The fact remains that The Villages is probably one of the safest communities to live in an area of over 100,000 residents. However, we must remain vigilant.

That is indeed bad news. Several posters live there, can you fill us in?

[billethkid]

I would need to know more as well simply because it is on a different level of concern when burglars are prepared to break and enter with the resient at home. It suggests they are prepared to deal with who ever or what ever they come across.

How could someone sleep through a break in?
How did they get in?
Were they in the home owners bedroom?

While still only an isolated incident it is of more concern.

Even though we have a dog and a loaded gun "handy", it is an encounter to be avoided if at all possible.

[pklein9747]

Originally Posted by billethkid

I would need to know more as well simply because it is on a different level of concern when burglars are prepared to break and enter with the resient at home. It suggests they are prepared to deal with who ever or what ever they come across.

How could someone sleep through a break in?
How did they get in?
Were they in the home owners bedroom?

While still only an isolated incident it is of more concern.

Even though we have a dog and a loaded gun "handy", it is an encounter to be avoided if at all possible.

When we lived in NJ, our house was broken into while we slept. They took the glass out of a door and opened it to gain access. I'm grateful we never heard them. If we had and gone downstairs, I'm sure they would have harmed us. It is easy to replace things, not people. Needless to say, we did feel violated and it took a very long time before I was able to sleep through the night and feel comfortable in our home.

[JourneyOfLife]

If the occupants were home, wouldn't it technically be a home invasion under Florida Statute?

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

I found this article while searching the internet for a description of the difference between burglary and home invasion.

Burglary and Home Invasions in Florida | Criminal Law

[graciegirl]

Friends who live there say it is on a corner interior lot and not real near the entrance. All the houses on that street Miona Shores Drive face the street and back to other homes. Which I always thought made interior lots a tad safer.


Come on Mr. Sheriff. Get these varmints. I am guessing that someone has exterior cameras around there.

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by OscarOlden

This thread is not meant to cause panic but to educate.

Early this morning between 1:15 and 4:00 AM, there was a break-in at a home in Miona Shores. The residents were sleeping. Items of value were taken.

Of course, the sheriff's office was notified and they are checking the gate cameras.

The fact remains that The Villages is probably one of the safest communities to live in an area of over 100,000 residents. However, we must remain vigilant.

This is a serious escalation, and a different MO from the mid-day breaking and entering that's happened several times in Sanibel, Collier and elsewhere.

It also implies, that in the absence of successful arrests (hopefully soon) by the Sumter County Sheriff, the level of criminal boldness is likely to continue to grow.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by billethkid

I would need to know more as well simply because it is on a different level of concern when burglars are prepared to break and enter with the resient at home. It suggests they are prepared to deal with who ever or what ever they come across.

How could someone sleep through a break in?
How did they get in?
Were they in the home owners bedroom?

While still only an isolated incident it is of more concern.

Even though we have a dog and a loaded gun "handy", it is an encounter to be avoided if at all possible.

If the doors are locked, I do not see how it is possible (in a one level house) to break in with no noise. I would like to know more details before completely believing this one. Possible but seems unlikely at this point. Just posting my opinion.

[JAV0108]

Originally Posted by buggyone

If the doors are locked, I do not see how it is possible (in a one level house) to break in with no noise. I would like to know more details before completely believing this one. Possible but seems unlikely at this point. Just posting my opinion.

Not when there are hearing issues. Just saying.

[logdog]

Originally Posted by buggyone

If the doors are locked, I do not see how it is possible (in a one level house) to break in with no noise. I would like to know more details before completely believing this one. Possible but seems unlikely at this point. Just posting my opinion.

Back door was unlocked.

http://www.*******************/sheri...ges-break-ins/

[janmcn]

A current article about the burglaries in The Villages on-line news says there have been seven in the last 60 days. The back door of the house in Bridgeport was unlocked and the screen was cut, according to the article. It's unclear if the owner left the door unlocked, or if the perpetrator unlocked it. The article also says the owners have two small dogs who apparently slept through the whole thing.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by janmcn

A current article about the burglaries in The Villages on-line news says there have been seven in the last 60 days. The back door of the house in Bridgeport was unlocked and the screen was cut, according to the article. It's unclear if the owner left the door unlocked, or if the perpetrator unlocked it. The article also says the owners have two small dogs who apparently slept through the whole thing.

Very alarming.


Here's Meta's report.


Sheriff’s office investigating rash of burglaries in The Villages

January 3, 2014 By Meta Minton 2 Comments
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is investigating seven burglaries which have taken place in the past 60 days in The Villages.
Of the seven burglaries, four included forced entry by kicking in the front door, two gained entry through forcing open a sliding glass door and the final burglary was to an automobile, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Villages Homeowners Association Director at Large Irv Markely, a resident of the Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores, said there was a break-in in his Village just this morning.
He said the break-in occurred between 1:30 and 4:30 a.m., while the homeowners were present.
He said a back screen had been cut and the back door had been unlocked.
“They have two little dogs, too,” Markley said.
He tries to keep his neighbors aware of such incidents and sent out an email blast to his neighborhood encouraging vigilance.
Lt. Nehemiah Wolfe urges Villagers to take advantage of the sheriff’s free home inspection program. Through it, a member of the sheriff’s office will visit a home and provide tips on securing the home. You can schedule an appointment by calling 689-4600.
He added that neighbors looking out for neighbors is also effective.

[patfla06]

That is pretty brazen to break in while people are sleeping.
I am putting in an alarm.
It's getting scary!

[lewie]

This is so alarming! Might there be a common denominator among those who were burglarized? For example, builder, subcontractors, service providers, social circles?

[Ron1Z]

I put in a wireless alarm on every door and window that can sound off in the house or go to a central station for 15.00 per month. Works great and gave me piece of mind, also has key fobs to turn on and off. 400 dollar investment.