Vehicle burglaries hit one Lakewood Ranch street

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reported a flurry of vehicle burglaries Thursday on one street in Lakewood Ranch.

Deputies responded to four vehicle burglaries on the 11000 block of Rivers Bluff Circle.

The incidents go against a trend of decreased vehicle burglaries in Manatee County the last two years — after a stretch of several years where the crime happened more frequently — said Dave Bristow, sheriff’s office public information officer.

“This is just another reminder that, if your car is exposed, lock it, and if it is locked, make sure nothing valuable is visible,” Bristow said. “We’ve been on a campaign to inform people of these things the last few years, and it’s working somewhat, but there are just so many targets.”

The “campaign” has included public service announcements, roadway signs and other measures.

Bristow said, generally, more than half of vehicle burglaries involve unlocked cars. 

The sheriff’s office, which often finds young people ages 16 to 24 responsible for the burglaries, has had recent success putting culprits in jail with the help of witnesses. 

Bristow also said Lakewood Ranch has not seen an inordinate amount of vehicle burglaries compared to other parts of the county.

“But Lakewood Ranch has cars like everywhere else,” Bristow said. 

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].