[Nlnicholson]

Home in Village of Bridgeport at Lake Miona burglarized Wednesday
March 6, 2014 By Meta Minton 28 Comments
A burglary in the Village of Bridgeport at Lake Miona is under investigation by the Sumter County Sheriff�s Office.
The burglary occurred sometime Wednesday evening at a home on Hartford Path.
Jewelry was taken in the burglary, said Lt. Bobby Caruthers of the Sumter County Sheriff�s Office.
A rear door window was broken out to gain entry to the home.
The couple left the residence at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday and then returned at 6:55 p.m. to retrieve items. They left again and did not return until 9 p.m.
When they returned at the later time, they discovered the break-in.
The couple told deputies that when they had returned the first time, they had noticed a white four-door sedan in the neighborhood that looked out of place.
When neighbors were interviewed by deputies, some of them also noted seeing a white car they did not recognize in the neighborhood.

[billethkid]

it is obvious the mode of operation is for the perps to pick a target and then watch the living pattern and strike when they know they have an opportunity.

TV home construction and TV lifestyles offer these cowards their opportunities.

[gomoho]

During 2012 when we first arrived (June to be exact) I don't remember hearing of these things. It's like someone has shipped in some thieves to target homes in TV. Has the word gotten out that it's a prosperous retirement community that is easy to hit?
Or maybe the stars in my eyes blinded me to what the situation was then???

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by gomoho

During 2012 when we first arrived (June to be exact) I don't remember hearing of these things. It's like someone has shipped in some thieves to target homes in TV. Has the word gotten out that it's a prosperous retirement community that is easy to hit?
Or maybe the stars in my eyes blinded me to what the situation was then???

I have no proof, but I wonder if we just have better reporting now.

Also, it could be that once someone is successful at a break-in, it spurs others on.

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I have no proof, but I wonder if we just have better reporting now.

Also, it could be that once someone is successful at a break-in, it spurs others on.

I believe you are right on both counts. The Daily Sun doesn't report the break-ins so much. The reporting is coming from The Villages News.com.

[graciegirl]

Look out for anyone parked around your home and neighborhood that doesn't look like they belong there.


"A white four door sedan that looked out of place" was mentioned.


If you see something say something or call someone.


Or obviously stop and take a picture of their license.

[57ChevyFI]

With a population of over 100,000 people, the crime rate is very low in the Villages. Hopefully no one thought The Villages was free of crime? We are very lucky

[birdawg]

Originally Posted by 57ChevyFI

With a population of over 100,000 people, the crime rate is very low in the Villages. Hopefully no one thought The Villages was free of crime? We are very lucky

OH OK, Let's see everytime I leave the house I drive around the block to see if anyone is watching the house. I now pay for a security system, I now keep a loaded gun in the house. I guess I'm Just a lucky guy in the villages.

[Bogie Shooter]

Paranoia..........................

[birdawg]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Paranoia..........................

No, just a survivor.

[samhass]

I think it is a matter of time before one of these break-ins ends violently.

[dplars]

Maybe not. We just returned from a two week cruise on a Sunday night, Monday both of us left the house at 2pm and returned about two hours later and discovered the robbery. Don't think there was much planning, just a case of coincidence meeting opportunity.

[Cajulian]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Paranoia..........................

Bogie, sometimes you are just hysterically funny!

I guess it takes having experienced personally being violated, for yourself or a family member to understand why someone would feel it is important to them to have some level of security to monitor or protect themselves in their home.

I wouldn't call that Paranoia at all. I would call that Wise, especially at the rate of these regular Break-ins within The Villages and the occasional attack of individuals at public business areas outside the Villages.

Just my opinion and thoughts. We all don't have to agree, that's a good quality.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by birdawg

No, just a survivor.

Driving around the block and returning sure sounds like paranoia but whatever floats your boat, I guess.

Remember, though, if you keep a loaded gun in the house, it will be stolen if your home is burgeled.

I think the monitored security system is smart.

Chances are that you will not be at home at the time of a break-in. That gun does you no good at all in that case, does it? Just gives the robber a gun.

[rubicon]

It is understandable that as the population in the tri-county increases it will increase with all types of people good and bad.

What concerns me is the boldness of many of these crimes.

There is a controversy taking a collision course here. People understand The Villages has no formal police force and can never have one. Where does this leave lady Lake police , Sumter Lake and Marion County sheriffs, etc.
How do the county commissioners view protect and serve their towns vis a vis The Villages? Is Community Watch being used effectively? What is the efficacy of Community Watch?

Are residents of The Villages targeted any more than other homes in other communities?

The gates are they creating a false positives obstructing their efficacy ?

These are growing pangs for The Villages and you wonder if leadership is taking notice or are they too busy talking about the renovation of rec centers?