PALMETTO (WSNN) – A thief is on the loose in Palmetto, but Manatee County deputies are onto him.
A seasoned burglar is ransacking through cars in the Palmetto Estates neighborhood.
“My car has been broken into about four times now,” Palmetto Estates resident Alex Gruerio said.
Gruerio has been a victim of these crimes over the past few months. And now another case, early Monday morning at 1 AM, a suspect ravaged a truck in the 2200 block of 15th Avenue East.
“We’ve seen somebody fitting this same description make entry into unlocked in this same neighborhood back in August and in September,” Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Randy Warren said. “He fits the same profile of what we’ve captured in the past, so we believe it is the same person
The surveillance video shows one person breaking into a Dodge Ram truck and taking items out. Detectives believe this is a Hispanic boy between 12 and 16 years old. With him, a partner in crime.
“There is a light-colored sedan possibly gray, maybe a Chevy Malibu that’s following along,” Warren said.
This is a pattern that the deputies see often.
“They’re working with someone else, rather than with someone on foot, so they’re able to just check the door handle, they’re very bold, they’ll go right into a driveway,” Warren said.
Authorities say drivers often put themselves at risk.
“People fail to lock their cars, so we make ourselves easy targets,” Warren said.
This was the case for Gruerio.
“I think a couple of times, it was, I guess that’s on me,” Gruerio said.
And the thief is going after your valuables.
“Money, sunglasses, any electronic devices that you may leave in there,” Warren said. Anything that is interesting to them, if they see, they’re more than likely going to take it.”
The key to keeping this from happening.
“Do us all a favor, lock your car,” Warren said.
If you have information on this case, you can call the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at (866) 634-TIPS.