A string of car burglaries over the last few weeks is frustrating not only investigators, but also Seminole County residents.
The crimes are happening in the Lake Rogers, Waverly Woods, and Alafaya Woods subdivisions near Mitchell Hammock Road, with many of the burglaries along Lockwood Boulevard.
Oviedo police said 79 vehicles have been burglarized since the first of the year, with 35 this past weekend.
“I think it’s young adults is what detectives are telling us,” said Lt. Mike Beavers of the Oviedo Police Department. “It’s a pretty loose knit group of individuals that are doing it.”
None of the vehicles are showing signs of forced entry.
Police said the criminals will walk up and down the streets at night, trying the handles on vehicles. If the car was unlocked, the suspects would take whatever valuable inside, including CDs, electronic tablets and loose change.
“I think it’s ridiculous that people don’t take valuables out of their car. It’s inviting burglars,” said Celeste Hurley, who lives in the Lake Rogers subdivision.
Over the weekend, Oviedo police knocked on doors and handed out yellow placards for resident to hang on their rear view mirrors. The cards warn any would-be burglar to stay away and that no valuables are in the car.
“I am glad they did it,” said Mike Carroll, another Lake Rogers resident. “It kept us proactive, you know, to stay on guard and use common sense. Don’t leave anything valuable they can see inside your car.”
Of the 79 vehicles burglarized, three were stolen. Police said the keys were already in the cars.
One person has been arrested and admitted to some of the burglaries. However, police are still looking for who else may be responsible.
If you have any information on these crimes, call CrimeLine at (800) 423-TIPS (8477).