Ray-Ban Sunglasses, TomTom GPS Among Items Stolen in South Tampa

The items were taken over the weekend from unlocked vehicles at separate locations in South Tampa, according to the Tampa Police Department.

Electronics were among a wide range of items stolen from unlocked vehicles in South Tampa over the weekend, according to reports from the Tampa Police Department. Around 2:25 a.m. on Sunday, someone entered an unlocked vehicle at 3122 West Paxton Avenue and took a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses and an iPhone charger, according to a report from TPD. The items were valued at a total of $200. In a separate incident that occurred sometime between late Monday evening to early Tuesday morning, someone entered an unlocked Pontiac Grand Am that was parked on the top floor of the AMC parking garage at 347 West Shore Plaza, police said. Taken were a TomTom GPS, two iPod Touch devices, a cell phone charger, headphones and Suncoast Credit Union checks. …

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Tampa Police Urge South Tampa Residents to Take Vacation Safety Precautions

With school almost out, TPD officials released some tips to make sure your house is secured while you head out of town this summer.

Residential burglaries increase as much as 18 percent during the summer while families are away on vacation, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. With that in mind, officials at the Tampa Police Department released the following tips for residents to keep in mind as they head out of town: Give your house a lived in look: Inform as few people as possible of your vacation plans: Complete a vacation watch form for the Tampa Police Department. The information you provide will be given to the officers that patrol your neighborhood. The day after your date of return, the form is destroyed. (Find a form at: http://www.tampagov.net/dept_police/Files/Documents/Vacation_Watch_Form_Prefill.pdf). Don't post your plans on social media …

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Tampa Police Department Urges Drivers to Secure Vehicles

A recent rash of car burglaries in District 1 has prompted a call to action from police officials.

From the Tampa Police Department: No neighborhood is immune from car break-ins. It happens in all communities. Most often, car break-ins occur during the early morning hours when the risk of discovery is low. Persons who commit these types of crimes can be juveniles on a dare, or addicts desperate for something to trade or pawn to support their habits. Safety tips: •    Secure your vehicle safely in the garage or park your vehicle as close to the residence/business as possible. If you park on the street, park in an area with good visibility and lighting. Report lighting/security problems to your landlord or property manager. • Do not leave anything in your vehicle that would tempt somebody to break in. Remove valuables or secure them out …

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Suspects Net GPS, Oakley Sunglasses in South Tampa Vehicle Burglaries

The thefts occurred between Thursday, March 28 and Monday, April 1, according to reports from the Tampa Police Department.

While Tampa authorities encourage South Tampa residents to lock their house and car doors, some who forgot or didn't take heed were victims of burglaries over the holiday weekend. According to reports from the Tampa Police Department, unlocked vehicle doors contributed to a number of items being stolen in South Tampa, from accessories to electronics. Here's a rundown of reports by date that were submitted to TPD: Friday, March 29: Saturday, March 30: Sunday, March 31: Monday, April 1:

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Police: Apartment Thief Steals Bananas, Ice Cream, Cereal - and a Laptop

The incident occurred on Friday, March 15.

Tampa police say someone broke into a South Tampa apartment and made off with a silver Dell laptop. Before leaving, the suspect also grabbed a few grocery items, too. According to a report from the Tampa Police Department, the incident occurred at 1141 W. Chestnut Street in the North Boulevard Homes a few streets east of Howard Avenue. In addition to the laptop, police say the suspect took two pounds of bananas, a gallon of milk, two cartons of eggs and a gallon of ice cream. A neighbor saw two unknown men in the apartment, but was unable to identify them. One wore a white T-shirt, white shorts and white Nikes, while the other wore a yellow shirt with a Nike swoosh, purple pants and a blue Tampa Bay Ray's hat. Anyone with information can …

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Tampa Police Offer Tips to Decrease Car Break-Ins

The department wants the community to help.

Tampa Police Offer Tips to Decrease Car Break-Ins

The department is asking for the community's help to eradicate the problem.

The Tampa Police Department wants residents to follow a few tips to avoid car break-ins. Below is some information from Maryanne Hunsberger, crime prevention practitioner with the Tampa Police Department: No neighborhood is immune from car break-ins. It happens in all communities. Most often, car break-ins occur during the early morning hours when the risk of discovery is low. Persons who commit these types of crimes can be juveniles on a dare, or addicts desperate for something to trade or pawn to support their habits. TIPS: REPORTING:

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Robbery Prevention Tips from the Tampa Police Department

Find out how to safeguard your home and business.

OMG PD: Wedgie Bandit, Vacuum Attack, Snoopy Gets Run Over

We compile the odd, unusual ‘oh my gosh’ police items from throughout the Tampa Bay region.

An 18-year-old Bradenton man was arrested on battery charges after he was accused of giving strangers wedgies outside of a local movie theater. Charles Ross has filmed himself on Anna Maria Island kissing strangers, doing the trust test with strangers and even panhandling in reverse by giving people dollars on street corners because he's doing well. His videos have received hundreds of thousands of hits on YouTube, but his latest stunt apparently went too far. Ross was arrested Jan. 13 on charges of battery with a non-serious injury. He was released on a $750 bond. A 5-year-old Jack Russell terrier named Snoopy is dead after police said a car allegedly ran him over on purpose.  According to St. Petersburg Police, a blue, foor-door sedan …

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Crime Prevention is Everyone's Business

Find out tips from TPD officials that you can use in your neighborhood.