$29K in Jewelry Stolen from New Tampa Home

A New Tampa homeowner is out $29,000 in jewelry after an unknown burglar or burglars broke into the home.

The incident occurred March 21 in the 9100 block of Highland Ridge Way in Hunters Green, according to the Tampa Police Department.

The burglar(s) entered the home by smashing the rear sliding glass door leading into the master bedroom, according to police. Several pieces of the homeowner’s jewelry were taken from the bedroom and adjoining closet. The value of the items totaled $29,000, and police have no leads.

If you have information regarding this case, you can call TPD’s Detective Division at 813-931-6578.

In March, police urged New Tampa residents to heed the following Crime Prevention Tips to keep their homes from being burglarized:

• Do not leave valuables in your home unsecured (jewelry, coin collections, etc.). You may want to consider using a safety deposit box or a home safe that is hidden and secured with bolts attached to the foundation.

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• Keep shrubbery and fencing to a minimum to increase the visibility of your home. Keep your home adequately lit on the outside. If you have floodlights and motion sensor lights, make sure they are in working order.

• Consider an alarm system that is audible, monitored, and has both motion and breaking glass sensors.

• Lock all doors and windows on your home and use auxiliary locks, especially on sliding glass doors.

• Participate in Operation Inventory. Keep a copy of your inventory, receipts and pictures of valuables in a separate location with family, friends or in a safety deposit box. Find the form at www.tampagov.net/police, or call the crime prevention team at 813-931-6541 to have one mailed to you.

• Call 9-1-1 if you see or hear anything suspicious. Many times barking dogs and the sounds of breaking glass are ignored and not reported. Even someone loitering around backyards or driveways who is unfamiliar should be reported to police.

• Never feel like you are being a bother. Police would much rather respond to a false alarm call than to end up taking a crime report later.

• Get to know your neighbors and what vehicles they drive so you know when someone may be out of place on their property.

• Join the Neighborhood Watch Group in your area.

See also:

• Police Urge New Tampa Residents to Look Out for Burglars
• Tampa Police Offer Free Home Checks to Vacationing Residents
• Crime Blotter: Pair of New Tampa Homes Burglarized