I was wondering too. I don't remember break-ins like these being reported in 2011 when we bought our new home in a new neighborhood. Are they just being better reported now, or are they a recent development?

Seem's a lot of folks keep blaming construction workers and landscapers, I kind think it's people who don't want to work.

To say the Sheriff's Dept. is inept is way off base; they cannot be everywhere at once.
To say we should have better protection because we pay more taxes is also off base and shows a very elitist attitude. Everyone in Sumter County deserves protection.
We need to be more vigilant as neighbors and call the police when we see or hear anything out of the ordinary.
Starting neighborhood watches are a great idea.

Cheers for the Sheriff's Dept!

Think twice before putting boxes from that new TV, computer, etc, out for trash/recycling! It advertises where they can get new items!

If You See Somthing , Say Somthing.

Jewelry stolen in latest burglary in The Villages

January 13, 2014 By Meta Minton 13 Comments
Jewelry was stolen from a home sometime Sunday morning in the 500 block of Callahan Drive in the Village of Charlotte.
The front door of the home was kicked in sometime while the homeowners were out between 8:45 and 10 a.m., said Lt. Bobby Caruthers of the Sumter County Sheriff’s. The sheriff’s office was contacted at 10:29 a.m. that morning.
It appeared that the burglars also gained access to a safe stored in a spare bedroom closet. It was unclear what was removed from the safe.
This makes nine burglaries which have taken place in roughly the past two months in The Villages.
The burglaries have occurred on the following dates:
• Nov. 3 in the Village of Pinellas at Cedar Grove.
• Nov. 20 in the Village of Sanibel.
• Nov. 21 in the Village of Fernandina.
• Dec. 18 in the Village of Glenbrook.
• Dec. 19, again in the Village of Sanibel.
• Dec. 24 in the Village of Polo Ridge.
• Dec. 26, again in the Village of Fernandina.
• Jan. 3 a lanai screen was cut in a home in Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores. An arrest in that case was made Friday.
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.

Most policemen will tell you that the only thing that prevents crime is a deterrent. Patrols will not stop breakins; just make them harder. Police investigate crimes, thus taking the perps off the street, one at a time.

All I can say is keep your eyes open for strangers and use your head. Not saying this is what happened but. If you ride around on recycle day just look at some of the advertisements people put out front. New TV boxes, new safe boxes, new computer boxes etc. Take the time to break them up, tare them up, turn them inside out or something. don't just show off what you just bought. just like the people who leave their garage doors open and probably leave the golf cart keys in them. golf clubs stolen out of golf carts uptown or wherever. It's an open invitation to a desperate person. JMO

I think one of the previous posts was excellent.

The sheriff should get all the burglary victims together in a conference room with a chalkboard. The victims would be asked where they shopped before the robbery, services that sent people to their homes, common purchases from common stores. Just find all things that might have a common link and do some Colombo-esque detective work.

This would also allow all the victims to get some closure in talking with the others in a same type of situation - and might resolve any PTSD issues they may have from their experience of having their home violated.

Great point about the hidden door design. Just wondering, were the homes targeted the same style, or model, cottage or designer or CYV'S? Patio Villas, or were they all different?

Can you shot to kill if they break in if they are unarmed? At our age I am courteous if fear of life requires the one breaking in to be armed to be a life threatening criminal.

Florida's "stand your ground" law permits residents to employ deadly force if they fear imminent danger.

So do they have matching prints from any of these locations???

Ask Angie Fox. She is the contact person.