The Fort Myers Police Department is asking the community for help in preventing burglaries in the City. Recently, police have noticed a trend in vehicle burglaries in the City’s west district. The crimes are occurring during the overnight hours. In most cases, the vehicles have been unlocked and the thieves simply helped themselves to items such as purses, wallets, cell phones, computers and GPS systems that were left in plain sight. In a few cases, the thieves have smashed windows to obtain the items. FMPD asks that all residents remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. Police offer the following tips:
- Lock your doors.
- Don’t leave valuables in your car.
- Call police and report suspicious vehicles or people in your neighborhood.
- Take the time to remember and note the make, model, color and tag number of suspicious vehicles. Note the physical descriptions of suspicious people or solicitors.
- Call and report any people soliciting door-to-door for sales or services (City ordinance 18-363 requires that solicitors to have a license).
- Keep a close watch out for your neighbors’ homes while they are away.
- Don’t be afraid of being wrong about whether or not someone has a legitimate purpose for being in the community. Call police even for a gut feeling or a hunch.
The photos attached are from a home surveillance system. Anyone with information about the person of interest is asked to call the Fort Myers Police Department at 239-321-7700, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS or text message C-R-I-M-E-S (274637) Keyword FMPD. Tipsters can remain anonymous. Again, police remind citizens to lock your doors, take the keys and don’t leave valuables in plain sight.