Masked suspects have been working their way through the Carlyle neighborhood in Manatee County, checking car door handles and stealing from unlocked vehicles, according to deputies. Video shared yesterday by the sheriff's office shows people in masks and hoodies moving from car to car and pulling items from the interiors. Investigators say one vehicle was taken after thieves found the keys inside, and patrols have been increased in the area.
Video Shows Suspects Checking Door Handles
In a reel posted by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, the footage from the Carlyle community appears to show unknown suspects calmly testing vehicle door handles and rummaging through any that are unlocked. In the post, deputies list firearms, backpacks, iPads and cash among the items taken, and note that one car was stolen outright after it was left unlocked with the keys inside.
Deputies Ramp Up Patrols And Ask For Tips
"Deputies are patrolling affected neighborhoods," the sheriff's post explains, and officials are asking residents to check their own cameras for similar activity. The department's website lists its nonemergency number as (941) 747-3011, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, and directs neighbors to crime-prevention resources on how to secure vehicles and firearms before calling it a night.
Why Unlocked Cars Are Easy Targets
National crime analysts have long warned that thieves look for the simplest score, which usually means unlocked doors and keys left inside. The National Insurance Crime Bureau has highlighted how often opportunistic thieves zero in on vehicles that are left open or running, making it far easier to steal cars or grab whatever is visible inside.
How Neighbors Can Protect Themselves
Preventive steps are straightforward: lock car doors, remove keys and fobs, take firearms and other valuables inside at night, and park in well-lit spots when possible. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office crime-prevention guidance also covers how to share video evidence with investigators, and deputies say even short clips can help them piece together routes, timelines and suspects.
If you recognize the people in the video or have footage of similar activity, call the sheriff's nonemergency line at (941) 747-3011 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS or via Manatee County Crime Stoppers. Deputies say they plan to keep up the enhanced patrols while investigators review video, track leads and try to identify who is behind the string of burglaries.
