At our recent Neighborhood Watch meeting, HCSO advised the residents of Eagle Palms regarding a rash of burglaries being committed in the Riverview area from Panther Trace to Pavilion Estates. In light of the fact that we have also recently become victims of such crimes, all residents need to be especially vigilant since these events seem to occur during daylight hours.

Please make sure your home is secure. If you have an alarm make sure it is armed when you leave. If you don't have an alarm, GET ONE! I have enclosed information regarding the Pavilion incidents.

PAVILION BURGLARIES

On Tue Sep 8th there was a burglary, and an attempted burglary, both on the 9300 block of Hidden Water Circle. The events were separated by about 14 homes.
- The first crime occurred between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm today when a rear sliding glass door was pried open and damaged. The house was ransacked with drawers dumped; beds turned over, and closet clothes strewn about. The victim is still determining the value of items taken. The alarm system was not turned on.

- The second incident occurred at 3:15 pm. An elderly resident was home when one suspect started continuously ringing the front doorbell. The resident viewed through the peephole and elected not to answer the door, apparently leading the burglars to believe the house was unoccupied. While the doorbell was constantly ringing, a second suspect went through the fence gate, into the lanai, and up to the rear sliding glass door which he tried to pry it open, until he saw the resident inside. The suspects were two teenage black males with large backpacks. They may have parked a car nearby and entered the south side of Phase I on foot.

- Other burglaries may have occurred and not been discovered yet, if the residents were not home. These MOs match those of incidents earlier this year in all three Pavilion Phases, and a string of burglaries in communities to the south of us. It is possible these ‘entry methods" are used by several small groups of burglars.

MOST PAVILION BURGLARIES OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS OCCUR BETWEEN 9 AM - 4 PM.
MOST ENTRIES ARE THROUGH REAR SLIDING GLASS DOOR.
THIEVES ARE BECOMING MORE BRAZEN AND HAVE EVEN HIT OCCUPIED HOUSES RECENTLY.

CLOSE GARAGES, EVEN IF YOU ARE OUT OF SIGHT FOR A FEW MINUTES. We have recently lost about 10 bikes from garages.
LOCK DOORS. Many people do not lock their rear glass doors, or just use the small door catch.
SET YOUR ALARMS. You can set it up as unmonitored "audible only" with no monthly fees.
CALL THE NONEMERGENCY 247-8200 FOR ANY SUSPICIOUS PERSONS OR ACTIVITIES.
(Of course call 911 for crimes in progress.)