Golf Cart Theft on Rise; Most Are 'Privately Owned'

When word came from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office that help was needed to solve a spate of golf-cart thefts in Hillsborough County, one might assume, living in the Greater Brandon and Riverview area, that mischief had struck here as well.

In some instances that is the case, but the larger issue for us, closer to home, is a staunch reminder that, at a minimum, residents should keep their golf carts locked up if possible.

It's always a good thing, too, to keep parked vehicles locked up in garages overnight or, at a minimum, locked up in driveways, with valuables stores inside our residences.

In all, 23 golf carts are missing and there’s a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

The rash of golf cart thefts reportedly has been occurring in unincorporated Hillsborough County since December, and mostly in the southeastern part of the county. The latest theft was Jan. 23.

Collectively the thefts have amounted to a loss pegged at between $25,000 to $35,000.

“Most of these [stolen golf carts] are privately owned, some are from Little Harbor Resort,” said deputy and Crime Stoppers coordinator Lisa Haber, in an interview Jan. 25. “A variety are from mobile home parks, where most of [the thefts] are from. Out of those cases, a few of the golf carts have been recovered.”

What investigators don’t know, she added, is if the golf cards are being resold or dismantled for parts.

“To presume what they’re being sold for?” she said. “We don’t know.”

District 2 has reported only two golf carts stolen, “at apartment complexes,” Haber said. “District 3 had one, out of a school, and in District 4 [which covers the Greater Brandon area] a lot of thefts have been privately owned.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477). If you’d rather anonymous — and, as a result, forgo the reward — you can do so online at crimestoppersbt.com. Also, you can text “CSTB,” plus your tip, to 274637 (CRIMES). Another option, use “Tipsubmit Mobile,” a free download application for the iPhone, iPad and Droid.