Media Release From: Denise M. Moloney Community/Media Relations Manager, 352-797-3609 Re: District Two Detectives Make Two Arrests in Vehicle Burglary Cases Date: August 1, 2014 During the month of July, District Two experienced an influx in Vehicle Burglaries. In response, the Sheriff’s Office increased proactive patrols during the nighttime hours and aggressively followed up on all potential leads. Those efforts quickly produced results. Two individuals have been arrested and both have confessed to committing a large number of the Vehicle Burglaries. The individuals arrested and their charges are follows: - Stephen O’Brien W/M DOB/03-29-1978 o Burglary of Conveyance o Defrauding a Pawnbroker and Dealing in Stolen Property o Defrauding a Pawnbroker and Dealing in Stolen Property o Dealing in Stolen Property o Grand Theft of Jewelry o Defrauding a Pawnbroker and Dealing in Stolen Property o Possession of Methadone o Burglary of a Dwelling o Burglary of a Conveyance o Burglary of a Conveyance o Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card - Raymond Hancock W/M DOB/12-12-1997 (Juvenile) o Armed Burglary of a Conveyance o Burglary of a Conveyance o Burglary of a Conveyance o Providing False Name to Deputy Both suspects admitted to numerous other crimes however at this time detectives are only able to charge them with those listed above. The investigation continues. The most significant aspect of these crimes is that both individuals told detectives that they walked through neighborhoods looking for “unlocked car doors.” In the history of similar crimes, suspects have confessed to committing hundreds of these types of burglaries. In many cases, nothing is stolen and those crimes are not reported. They go in EVERY unlocked vehicle they can find and look for valuables. The most common items taken are GPS units, cash, wallets and purses. Sheriff Al Nienhuis wishes to stress the importance of always locking your vehicle. If you insist on leaving the vehicles unlocked, please remove all valuables. The most common reason people leave their doors unlocked is because they do not want to have a window broken. Most suspects admit they WILL NOT break a window due to the noise. Although there are times when a burglar can and will force entry into a vehicle, it is more common and much easier to search for unlocked vehicles. Please be vigilant to help protect your belongings as well as those of your neighbors. If you see someone walking in a neighborhood late at night and/or at any time that appears to be suspicious please call the Sheriff’s Office. You do not have to provide your personal information (name/address/telephone number) and you do not have to use 9-1-1 unless you feel you have an emergency. You can call 352-754-6830 and you can report suspicious and/or criminal/activity. Please, also check your personal home video surveillance. If you see anything suspicious, check your vehicle doors, you (or your neighbor) may be a victim. Contact the Sheriff’s Office if needed. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office would like to issue a warning to other vehicle burglars and subjects involved in this type of activity. We have increased our investigative efforts and will be diligently following up on all leads. Anyone who received property from either of these two individuals should contact the District Two Investigations Unit immediately at 352-754-6830 so that all property can be returned to the rightful owner(s). The individuals cooperated with detectives who are still in the process of following up on leads.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 19:06:19 +0000
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