The following Crime Watch notices have been forwarded to the Woodruffs by Deputy Walter Wolf of the Lake County Sheriff's department. He can be reached as follows:

Deputy Walter Wolf

Community Services Unit

Lake County Sheriff's Office

Ph. 352-343-9500 (Cell Ph. 352-267-3655)

www.lcso.org

11/21/08

Just wanted to report several things. As I have stated we are entering the time of year that we see more scams and frauds then normal. Please be cautious of any one that offers you a deal that sounds to good to be true. Trust me it will turn out not to be true.

We have received several reports from the 441 Mall area, and the 473 Bassville Park area of a couple of young men approaching homes and portraying themselves as working for Comcast. In a couple of incidents they engaged the home owner in conversation and requested entry into the residents so that the could check the Comcast equipment. One time they were reported as driving a older green car and in another they were driving a older dark blue car, and in yet another they were possibly in a white pick up. A check with Comcast reveled that Comcast does not send people out to solicit business and if they are in a neighborhood doing any type of repair work they will be in a marked Comcast vehicle. When in doubt call Law Enforcement and never let anyone into your home unless you have called for a certain type of service and are expecting them.

Also we are still seeing a rather high number of vehicles being burglarized especially in the Clermont, Clermont South areas. Vast majority of the vehicles are UNLOCKED.

If you suspect that someone has entered into your vehicle but can not find anything missing, just that your vehicle has been ransacked still call us for a report. This will give us a better idea as to what may be happening in certain neighborhoods.

Last year we had a rather high number of vandalism to Christmas decorations reported, I hope that it does not continue this year.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and have a happy and safe holiday.

11/14/08

Hello folks,

I had a call from Judi C. tonight and it's a bit disturbing. A condensed version is that yesterday she filled up her car and made note of the odometer reading. She estimates she drove about 16-20 miles thereafter and returned home. This morning when she went out to go to work her car's odometer was down and she estimates about 5 gallons of gas are unaccounted for. This has apparently happened once before to them. While not 100% positive she feels pretty certain her car was locked. She has the type of gas tank lid that you pop from inside the car so she called the dealer and he told her that they are certainly not full-proof and if someone had some knowledge it would be possible to get the lid opened.

She just wanted everyone to be aware of a possible situation going on in our own neighborhood. If this is happening the creepiest part is someone is roaming our neighborhood late into the night/early mornings. If you have a vehicle you have to leave out you might want to consider a "lock w/key" gas tank closure and they are available at the new parts store in town. Despite the security system and the locking of vehicles Judi figures they will now install motion lights out on the driveway. It's a sad situation we are experiencing but I guess we shouldn't be too surprised. Deputy Walter is constantly harping on just this type of thing. So heads up! Thanks, Susan (See additional info below)

11/15/08 (Related to above above Alert)

Hi everybody,

I just needed to clarify something. It wasn't my odometer ... we have a separate milage gauge in my car. When I fill the car, it tells me how many miles I can go on that particular tank of gas. Between 10:00 on Thursday night and 7:00 on Friday morning the gauge showed I had used approx. 90 miles that I really hadn't used. If I figure that out, it is approx. what a five gallon can would take. There was also dirt around my gas cap. The dirt part happened once before about a month ago, but I didn't figure it out really pay too much attention to it. What got my eye this time was the milage gauge. If Paul's car had been outside we never would have missed 5 gallons unless we were checking milage manually. He doesn't have a gauge.

This is just a wake-up so we all keep our eyes real wide open ........

Judi

11/5/08

Just wanted to remind everyone that as we enter into the holiday season its that time of the year that we see certain scams resurface . One in particular that we have already started seeing is the paving scams. If any one comes to your house trying to sell you a paving job (beware) Ask to see there solicitation permit. This permit is required in Lake County to solicit door to door. If they have not got a permit call Law Enforcement.

10/22/08

Just wanted to clarify a question that was asked of me recently. When a specialty law enforcement unit shows up in a certain community (i.e.-swat team, bomb squad, ect: ect:) I am in most cases not at liberty to pre warn any community of there pending arrival or in most cases what they are even doing there. In some cases even I am not aware of what is going on. If its something that is a threat to the community some one from law enforcement will alert the residents as to the emergency.

Good news Bad news-Bad news we are still seeing an awful lot of vehicles being broken into county wide (I'm not even going to tell you that they are being left unlocked). Good news is that in the Bassville Park area we are about to arrest four juveniles for braking into unlocked vehicles (over twenty). As I have said this type of crime is usually a crime of opportunity. Please don't help a good kid go bad lock your doors.

10/12/08

we are seeing a rather high number of vehicles in the Clermont area being broken into. Almost all were left unlocked and the few that were locked had things of value in plain view and a window was broken to gain access.

Several trailers taken from various locations around the county (None had any type of trailer locking device).

The hot spot for home break-ins is still the very south end of the county were they are targeting the vacation rental homes.

We are still seeing a rather high number of weapons being taken out of both homes and vehicles after they are broken into. Please if you do have weapons go that extra step to secure them or make it more difficult to find them if they do get into your home or vehicle. (Not being in plain view would help especially inside your homes).

Also just as a reminder to a previous alert I recently sent out. This is the time of year that we normally see an increase in various types of scams and frauds. Just be cautious a scam can be either in person, by mail, or e-mail.

10/6/08

Wanted to mention several items. We are still seeing trailers taken from various locations around the county. We are having unlocked vehicles still being broken into (also various areas of the county). I would like to ask all of you that have young children to periodically talk to them about not talking or approaching strangers. We may have had a case this past Friday were a elderly gentleman may have tried to lour a couple of young children to his vehicle in the Mount Dora area. We are not for sure of his true motives as there was also a elderly female also in the vehicle. Never less please make sure to talk to your young-ones about the dangers of someone trying to possibly pick them up. Also with Halloween approaching make sure to pick a save area to trick or treat (such as a school or church).

9/19/08

Just want to let everyone know that in the last couple of days we have had gas stolen out of a large number of boats and recreational vehicles that were parked at storage areas. So far the thefts have mainly been in the Clermont area of the County. In one storage area alone gas was taken from eight boats

9/8/08

Just wanted to let everyone know especially the very south end of the county that we are seeing a rather high number of homes being broken into and electronic equipment especially big screen TV's are being taken. So far most of the brake-ins have been mainly the vacation retail homes. We are still seeing lot of vehicles being broken into that are being left unlocked.

8/26/08

We have had several cars broken into in the area east of Clermont towards the county line. One vehicle was also stolen guess what all the cars were left unlocked and the vehicle that was stolen had the keys in the ignition. All the vehicles were parked in the driveways or on the street in front of the homes. As I have said over and over lock your doors, remember a lot of the vehicle and home break ins are crimes of opportunity. Take away the opportunity and you may not become a victim.

8/20/08

Just to let everyone know we have had multiple vehicle burglaries in the following areas. The 473 area, old 441 in the Tavares, Mount Dora areas, Howey in the Hills and Yalaha areas, Clermont South areas, and the HWY 27 and HWY 19 areas. Oh ya guess what ? 96% of the vehicles were left unsecured--(NOT LOCKED). Recently I had a crime watch meeting in the Sorrento area and prior to the meeting I road around the neighborhood as I usually do. This time I stopped at several different residents and checked 10 vehicles that were either parked in the driveway or on the road in front of the house. I found 4 of the 10 unlocked!!!!!!!!!!

We have had several homes in the HWY 27 South of Leesburg area buggerized.

We are still having trailer thefts from various locations around the county.

We have had two boats taken one in the Leesburg area and a boat and trailer in the Astor area.

8/5/08

I would like to ask all of you to do me a favor. Please pass the word around to your friends and neighbors to please lock their car doors when leaving it unattended no matter where it may be located at. I know that this sounds like a broken record on my part, but we are seeing a unusually high number of unlooked cars being broken into from various locations around the county. The scary thing is that several of these cars had firearms in them that were taken.

We are also seeing a higher then usual number of homes being broken into in the northeast part of the county.

7/25/08

Just want to remind everyone to please make sure to secure your vehicles at all times, and don't leave things of value in plain view. Also if you have a weapon in the vehicle always make sure to at least lock it in the trunk or glove compartment when leaving the vehicle, and never leave it in the vehicle overnight. We have had several vehicles that have had weapons taken out of them after being broken into. Also we have had several RV type vehicles broken into while parked at storage areas. If you have vehicles parked at storage areas you may want to occasionally check them to make sure that they are still secure.

6/16/08

Just wanted to alert everyone to a problem that we are starting to see mostly in the rural areas of the county. What is happing is that thieves are stealing the coils and copper tubing from outside home air conditioner units. Just be alert to what is going on around your neighbors homes.

We have had several home break-ins from various locations around the county but with no apparent pattern to them.

We have had several cars broken into in a couple of different neighborhoods in the very south end of the county. What they are doing is breaking out the windows to get items that are being left in plain view in locked cars.

We are having the same problem in the Sorrento area except they are breaking into unlocked cars. Please don't leave things of value in your cars and lock the doors.

We are seeing a higher then normal theft and attempted theft of coins from coin machines at launder mats from all areas of the county.

On a nicer note I have most of the photos from the awards at the Crime Watch BBQ. I will start this week getting them to you. It may take me awhile but I will get them all done (by the end of the year)--Just joking. One of the problems is that as I'm getting older I still recognize most of you, but putting a name to a face is getting harder and harder to do. I will also be delivering awards to several of you that I talked to and were not able to attend the BBQ. Just for everyone's information we had over 450 people at the BBQ with 125 award's being given.

5/09/08

Just wanted to remind every one for the _______time please lock your vehicles when parked at your homes. We have had several vehicles in the Montverde area broken into that were left unlocked. Another weapon is on the street because it was left in a unlocked vehicle. Please remind your neighbors and friends to lock there vehicles and never leave things of value in them especially overnight.

5/08/08

We are still seeing gas being taken from vehicles from various areas of the county(lock gas caps will help). We have had several trailers taken from the central part of the county(trailer locks will help).Once again we have had several homes broken into in the highway 27 area south of Leesburg and north of the turnpike. If you have home alarms I would suggest activating them when you leave for any length of time. Remember call us with any suspicious activity as soon as possible.

Its looking very good for the BBQ, I hope to have a supply of crime watch signs on hand for those communities that have requested them.

Also just a reminder if you change your e-mail address when you notify me please include the name of your community, it makes it easer for me--Thanks.

4/30/08

Hello neighbors. I received this from a concerned neighbor and thought it important enough to pass on. Just yesterday I was asked if any of these current break-ins are happening to home that are locked. It appears so. We now know the neighborhoods surrounding SRV have been hit. Please stay safe. Susan

...We have had another burglary in The Plantation. It happened yesterday, Wednesday, 4/23, this time in Riverwalk. The home backs up to the 18th fairway of Otter Creek. The burglary happened
between 11:10 am - 5:10 pm.

The homeowner told me that he and his wife were out playing  golf when it  occurred. Someone got in through the unlocked lanai door  then broke the lock  on one of the sliders to gain entry into the home.
he  family pet, an Irish  Setter, was in the lanai at the time.

Silverware was taken. It appears that the burglary is a  smoker because   cigarette ash was found in the house. The front door was  found unlocked  (the burglar may have gone out the front door or
unlocked  it for a quick  exit in case the homeowner arrived).

A number of similarities to the Nottoway burglary: golf front property;  entry through the back; items taken; time period of burglary.

PLEASE STAY ALERT for any suspicious people and KEEP
YOUR DOORS LOCKED!

4/24/08

Just wanted to bring up a subject reference paper deliveries. As I have stated over the years never leave your newspaper in your driveway for more then a day. If you are going to be gone for any length of time either stop delivery or have someone pick up your paper. Leaving the paper in your yard is an indicator that you are not at home. In saying this something has been brought to my attention that I feel should be brought to everyone's attention. Approximately four weeks ago a local advertisement paper due to budget issues started home delivery of there free advertisement paper rather than mailing them out. The issue is that a lot of our seasonal citizens have gone back to there summer homes and these papers are starting to accumulate in there yards. Once again this is a sign that no one is at home. I have talked to a editor of one of these papers and they advised me that if someone will call the papers in question and request that the paper not be delivered to a certain address they will delete that address from there delivery list. No reason need be given other then the paper is not desired at this time. If you have a neighbor that has gone back up north you can do this for them they do not have to be the one to call.

4/21/08

Just wanted to remind everyone to make double sure when leaving your homes to make sure that you are locking your doors. We are seeing a very high number of home break-ins where it appears that the homes were left unlocked.

The areas of concern are mainly Clermont South, the highway 27 area South of Leesburg to highway 19, and the areas North East of Umatilla.

Also as a reminder when possible I try not to name the communities by name that are having issues, but rather use a area of concern. Please don't be upset if you don't see the name of your community as having problems in my alerts (there is a reason for this).

I would also suggest that you put your jewelry in a heavy lock safe or some place other then the common areas such as your top dresser drawer or the closet in the master bedroom.

4/18/08

This information was forwarded to us by another village's crime watch coordinator. Hopefully you'll find it important enough to check your doors and windows when leaving the house. Thanks, Susan

...On Sunday, 4/13 there was a burglary in Nottoway Village. I spoke with the
homeowner and here is the information I received:

The burglary occurred between 10 am and 5:30 pm (daylight hours). It appears  that entry was made through the lanai and sliding glass doors into the house.   The homeowner could not remember if the lanai door or the sliders were locked.   There does not appear to be any forced entry. A gun cabinet was forced open on   the one side. There were two guns in there, a bb gun and an old 20 ga shotgun.
Both guns were not touched. The other side to the cabinet was not opened.

Jewelry and a complete set of silverware were taken. A purse with wallet, cash  and credit cards was untouched. A camera and binoculars in plain sight were  also not touched. So the thief/thieves just took items that were easily hidden.

Lake County Sheriffs were notified and responded. The detective believed that  this burglary is part of a professional ring that has been hitting hard in Royal  Highlands. Most of the burglaries there occurred to homes along the golf  course.

4/17/08

Just wanted to alert every one that we are seeing a higher than usual amount of car break- ins from various locations around the county. In the south end we have had well over a dozen UNLOCKED cars entered and items of value taken. Last week there were several locked cars that were broken into while parked at both the Lowes, and Wal-Mart in Mount Dora. Door locks were popped in to gain entry. Only cars that had items of value in plain view were broken into. The good news is that three individuals form South Florida were caught and charged. Please lock your vehicles and don't leave anything of value in your vehicle or at the least not in plain view.

3/26/08

Just wanted to alert every one to a scam that may be surfacing in our area. You will receive a phone call from a person representing themselves as being with Social Security/Medicare. They will inform you that there will be an additional amount added to the benefits that you currently receive, but that they need your banking information so that they can verify that they have the correct information to process your additional funds. Remember never give any of your personal information over the phone especially to some one that you do not know.

3/25/08

Just wanted to let every one know that we have seen an increase in boats being broken into both while at storage areas and in a couple of cases from boats docked at marinas and private homes. What they are taking is mostly fishing gear, and in at least two cases trolling motors.

We have had three golf carts reported stolen in the Lady Lake area.

Two ATV's were reported stolen, one in the Okahumphka area and one in the Eustis area. We also had a new dirt bike reported taken from a business in the Mount Dora area.

We have also had several unsecured trailers taken from various locations around the county. As I have said so many times over the last couple of years please if you have a trailer at least attach a trailer lock to it when its not in use. It does not mean that they will not steal it, but it will make it a lot more difficult and may be the difference in them taking the trailer or not taking it.

We have had several cars in the south end of the county broken into (NOT LOCKED) and various items taken. Also in the south end of the county we have had two vehicles that had a window broken out to get a purse that was left in the vehicle. Again as a reminder do not ever leave your wallet or purse in a unattended vehicle locked or unlocked.

3/1/08

Wanted to let everyone know that we have had several reported incidents of gas being stolen from recreation vehicles, and boats that are being parked in storage areas from various locations around the county. We also have had gas taken from boats stored or located on various lakes mainly in the Leesburg, Tavares areas. I'm afraid that with the cost of gas increasing we are also going to see a increase in gas type thefts.

Also just as a reminder to a alert I put out several months ago every now and then just check the tag on your vehicles to make sure that you have the correct tag for that vehicle. We have had cases in the past were the criminals will steel a vehicle to use in crimes then switch tags of similar vehicle. They will put the tag from the stolen vehicle on the other vehicle, thus if the police run the tags the one on the stolen vehicle will come back ok. If your car is the one that they put the one from the stolen vehicle on and your vehicle is checked yours will come back as a stolen vehicle.

(Information Only) There have been several reported incidents in other areas of the state were a couple of gentleman working as a teem will show up at a home. One of the subjects will with different stories convince the home owner to come out of the house. Once out of the house the second person will sneak into the home and take purses or wallets or any smaller items of value then leave. He is not in the house for more then just a minute or two. In the cases where this happened the victims did not realize that anything was missing for a while, then did not link the incident of the missing object with the person who came to there house.

If you change your e-mail address when you notify me please also include the name of your community. With over 500 crime watch contacts it just makes it easer for me to locate you and make the changes.--Thanks

2/28/08

I just wanted to bring every one up to date on a couple of problems that we are seeing in Lake County. We are starting to see a lot of what we call scam pavers. This is a group of people that are going around and attempting to sell you some sort of a re-paving job. First of all any one that is soliciting in Lake County is required to have a Home Solicitation Permit issued by the Clerk of the Court, and if in a city they must also have a city permit. If some one approaches you and try's to sell you a service that you did not make the initial contact yourself or through a second party and they approach you they are required to have this permit. If they do not have this permit call us or your local police.

And remember there are hundreds of hundreds of different fraud type scams out there. please never give any of your personal information to any one that you did not initiate the contact for a legitimate service. Remember, no one is going to give you something for nothing especially a stranger.

2/7/08

Just want to reemphasize to every one please pass the word of how important it is to lock both your homes and vehicles when leaving them unsecured even for a short period of time. We are seeing a very high percentage of our B&E's being to unlocked homes or vehicles.

In one case we had a break-in one of our gated communities were the home was left unsecured and unknown person or persons entered and stole jewelry. So please lock your doors and set alarms if you have them.

Also if you have purchased any electronic equipment when getting rid of the box's cut them up and put them in trash bags. don't put them out for garbage pick up in hole pieces you are just advertising to any one driving down the road of what you have in your home.

2/6/08 (per Susan Woodruff)

Just thought I would pass along what I just heard. A home in Rivercrest was broken into yesterday sometime between 4:00-6:00 pm and cash and jewelry was stolen. I pass this along just to remind everyone to lock their homes when leaving and not assume we are in a crime free environment. Thanks, Susan

1/29/08

Just wanted to alert everyone especially those of you that live on the water or keep boats docked on the water we are seeing a increase in the theft of boating equipment and gas from the boats (various locations from around the county). We also have had several cases of vandalism to boats along Haines Creek.

1/23/8

Wanted to alert every one that we are still seeing a increase in car break-ins in all parts of the county, but the vast majority are in the south end (Minneola) south to the county line. Over 85 % of the cars are unlocked. People are leaving things of value in plain view in the cars that are locked, and then the windows are being broken out. We are also seeing a higher then usual number of both forced and non forced entry during the day light hours of unoccupied homes in the Minneola,Clermont,Montverde, and very south end of the county. If you have alarms please use them.

1/18/08

This request really has nothing to do with crime watch. What I would like to ask is that in the south end of the county we are having a problem with people parking cars on the road right of way with for sale signs on them. We are getting a lot of complaints on this and have started charging the owners with a charge of unlawful use of road right of way, and towing the vehicles. If you know of any one doing this please warn them that it is unlawful and that we are enforcing the state statue controlling this. Thank you.

1/15/08

Wanted to let every one know that in the south end of the county we are starting to see the theft of vinyl children pool enclosures.

The theft of gas is on a increase, rv vehicles, boats, storage areas, and vehicles parked in driveways. We have also received some complaints from around the county of more people pan- handling for gas or gas money.

We are also seeing a increase from around the county of people soliciting, and in more and more cases we are seeing younger children trying to solicit money for various reasons, and in more time then not they are bogus reasons. Just beware and remember they do have to have a city or county permit to solicit. Above all else never let them into your home unless you have initiated the contact.

11/29/07

Just wanted to warn every one that this is the time of year that we start seeing scams in our county were as I now call them (wanderers) are traveling around trying to sell you on all types of home repairs. (BEWARE). Just today in the Minneola area a gentleman in a older dark colored vehicle tried to sell a lady a repaving job of her driveway, and also wanted to follow her to an ATM machine to draw out the money for the job. Please be very cautious of people that you have not contacted to give you an estimate for any job. If this should happen to you try to get a good description of them , there vehicle, and tag number if possible, then call us or your local police with the information.

11/28/07

Just to let every one know that we are seeing a rather higher then normal number of homes and vehicles in the very south end of the county being broken into. They are breaking into the homes through rear sliding glass doors or windows. Just about all the cars that are being broken into are unlocked. We have arrested four young people for several of the break-ins. Maybe they will slow up in that area.

I have finally received my order of crime watch signs. If I have promised you signs or you need additional signs please e-mail me with your name, phone number, and the name of your community. I will call you and make arrangements to get the signs to you.

With the X-Mass holidays quickly approaching I may have to put off having the annually crime watch BBQ until mid January. I hope that this will not be a problem for those of you that were looking forward to having it prior to the end of this year.

Rev. 11/24/08