June 26, 2020
By: Deborah Childress
TAMPA Fla. – Two suspects of rampant vehicle thefts and burglaries between Hillsborough County and Pinellas County have been caught on videotape but the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s help to identify the individuals.
The two male suspects stole a black BMW X6 out of Pinellas County on June 13, then used the vehicle to target multiple Hillsborough County residential neighborhoods and steal belongings out of unlocked vehicles. Neighborhoods affected by the crimes were the Lake Magdalene and Cordoba Ranch areas, burglarized from June 15 to June 24. The suspects were videotaped by home surveillance cameras.
On June 22, the suspects stole a 2020 Range Rover during another vehicle burglary spree. The stolen vehicle was recovered that morning in Clearwater.
At least four firearms have been stolen, two which have been recovered. The suspects are believed to be armed and dangerous, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office report.
One suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male who is built tall and thin. He was last seen wearing a gray hoodie, dark pants, a mask and gloves. The other suspect is of unknown race with a small frame. He was last seen wearing a blue hoodie, grey sweatpants, a mask and gloves.
The suspects were last seen traveling in the stolen BMW X6 with a Florida license plate of JFAV23.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister publicly said, “Knowing that guns have been stolen from some of these vehicles, identifying and locating these suspects is even more urgent. We do not want to see these weapons contributing to crime in our communities. Please, help us help you by locking your doors, taking valuable items inside or concealing them if you must leave them in your vehicle.”
Publishers note: While The Free Press will always be free for our readers, and ad-supported, we are asking our loyal readers to consider a monthly donation of $3 to maintain our local journalism and help us grow, as we ramp up ad sales locally.
You can click here to support us.
We thank you all for your consideration and supporting local journalism.