Sheriff's Office Investigating Car Burglaries

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office reminded car owners to lock their vehicles when they are parked as it investigated another rash of overnight car burglaries in neighborhoods behind Harder Hall and Orange Blossom area.

Sheriff's Lt. Kenny Johnson hesitated to call them car fishing incidents because the five or more burglaries that happened between Wednesday night and early Thursday morning were "miles and miles apart."

Burglaries were reported on Gramarcy Avenue, Lakewood Road, Lime Road and Gunner Lane or Terrace. Details were sketchy at best as to what, besides loose change, was taken.

The vehicles that were burglarized were left unlocked, said Sheriff's Deputy Juan Delgado on Thursday.

"Locking the cars would definitely help," said Delgado. "And don't leave valuables on the seats visible from the outside."

One resident who reported a car burglary didn't immediately call the sheriff's office when he saw two older teenagers dressed all in dark clothing examining the neighbor's car doors, said Johnson. He watched them walk down the street and around the corner.

He got into his car to see where they went. That was when he discovered he was a victim and that's when he called the sheriff's office. He saw a white pickup truck pass with who he thought was one of the teenage suspects inside, Johnson said.

Anyone who may have witnessed anything is asked to contact the Highlands County Sheriff's Office at 402-7200.

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