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Neighbors help nab suspected car burglars, Orange County cops say
Read full article: Neighbors help nab suspected car burglars, Orange County cops sayORLANDO, Fla. – Two suspected car burglars were arrested on Thursday after neighbors used social media to help Orange County deputies catch the culprits. Deputies said a neighbor at the house across the road from where the attempted burglary took place called police and informed her neighbors of the incident immediately via website. Residents in the Preserve gated community said that the burglars had them feeling exposed and vulnerable. They had helicopters here, they had the whole nine yards and they caught them," said Frank Salley, resident of the Preserve. The website is also how Shelley Soltis, another Preserve resident, found out about the recent arrests.
Central Florida churches see string of burglaries
Read full article: Central Florida churches see string of burglariesSix weeks ago, First Baptist Church of Orlando made headlines after a thief stole an estimated $50,000 from its safe. No arrests have been made in that case and since then, there have been at least eight more church break-ins, including at Azalea Park Baptist Church. "You can see where they took the fire extinguisher and kind of hammered at the deadbolt," said Azalea Park Pastor Rodney Witt, describing the damage to a lock. Witt says it's the first time in his 15 years at Azalea Park that someone has broken in and ransacked the Baptist church. Harrison and Witt both say the thieves did more harm by ransacking the churches than stealing tools and petty cash.
Thieves target iPhone, Android phone users
Read full article: Thieves target iPhone, Android phone usersCLERMONT, Fla. – If you have an Android or an iPhone, you may be a target for thieves. The good news: there are several apps for both iPhones and Androids that you can download for free to track your phone through GPS. Local 6 also found several recent cases where people have been able to track down their stolen phone by using a tracking app. The woman behind Eade also goes through the check-out line, but 30 seconds later she returns and swipes Eade's iPhone. Chief Broadway advocates using tracking apps, passcodes even wiping your device once it's gone to prevent identity theft.
Orange County homeowner captures break-in on camera
Read full article: Orange County homeowner captures break-in on cameraORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A local homeowner is turning to social media to track down a thief. He posted his own home surveillance video on Local 6's Facebook page and YouTube asking for help. The video shows a man entering Jason Alday's garage and stealing tools, all while the Alday family was inside their Orange County home. The surveillance video is four minutes long. If you see or recognize the man in the surveillance video, call the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Suspects detail crime spree in videotaped confession
Read full article: Suspects detail crime spree in videotaped confessionORMOND BEACH, Fla. – More than 12 vehicles and two garages all broken into on the same day in the same neighborhood. Electronics, surf boards, even a mini-motorcycle were all stolen from Ormond Beach's Hunter's Ridge subdivision. Two suspects are facing charges, a 17-year old and Nicholas Little, 18, who gave detectives a videotaped confession to the crime spree that happened in the early morning on June 4. Bennett's description of that car and the suspects eventually led police to Little and his accomplice as well as thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise. Little planned to keep a stolen Xbox for himself, but could not explain what they planned to do with everything else.
Palm Coast man charged with vandalizing political sign
Read full article: Palm Coast man charged with vandalizing political signFLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Flagler County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Palm Coast man Tuesday evening after they say they witnessing the man spray painting a political sign. Steven Paskewich was charged on two counts of criminal mischief and taken to the Flagler County Inmate Facility. Paskewich, 65, was seen by an officer spray painting the word "A******" across a campaign sign belonging to Trey Corbit, a candidate for Flagler County Supervisor of Elections. Finn then followed Paskewich to the intersection of Seminole Woods Parkway and East State Road 100 where he saw the man use the spray paint to vandalize the second sign. "Nearly every election, regardless of whether it's state or local, we receive complaints of political signs being vandalized.
Family pet stolen in Deltona home invasion
Read full article: Family pet stolen in Deltona home invasionDELTONA, Fla. – A family pet was stolen in Deltona on Tuesday morning, where thieves have targeted several homes in recent weeks. On Friday, thieves broke into his house through two bedroom windows. There have been at least seven break-ins in Deltona in just the past two weeks. Thieves also broke through a bedroom window at Laura Lisoski's house. In both cases, the victims believe whoever broke into their house was familiar with the surroundings, but no arrests have been made.
3 face charges in Orlando-area break-ins
Read full article: 3 face charges in Orlando-area break-insORLANDO, Fla. – Three men are facing charges in a string of home burglaries across downtown Orlando, Winter Park and College Park. But it's still unclear just how many of the break-ins the trio may be responsible for -- and residents are not letting their guard down. In many cases, thieves go-door-to-door and knock on doors to see if anyone's home before breaking in. "The video does not need to be turned on or turned off, it's going to be motion-activated." "So even if they stop at my house and they don't break into my house, I still have video," said Palmer.
Keeping car locked could keep your entire house safe
Read full article: Keeping car locked could keep your entire house safeKISSIMMEE, Fla. – Kissimmee police are out with a warning: leaving your car door unlocked, could unlock your entire house. Since late February, we found at least eight unlocked cars broken-into in the Oaks Golf Club and Community. In that case, the crooks found a house key in the unlocked car. They used that key to unlock the front door to the house and stole a Play Station 3 and $3,000. "You should never leave your car door unlocked and you should never leave anything in your car," Miller said.
Home invasions on the rise in Clermont
Read full article: Home invasions on the rise in ClermontCLERMONT, Fla. – It's a pattern among many home invasion victims-they take steps to prevent a crime after the crime has been committed. "They were trying to open the safe, but they couldn't do it," said Mutiso. When they couldn't open the safe, they just pried it from his dresser and that wasn't all. "In the good neighborhoods, in the not so good neighborhoods. For Mutiso, he will now buy new tools, but he said buying peace of mind for his family is a lot harder.