A round of door checking in the parking lot of a Largo apartment complex ended with two juveniles detained, a stolen taser recovered, and one suspect found carrying a knife, according to officers. A Largo police K-9 tracked one of the teens into a resident's backyard, where the suspect was caught.
How Officers Tracked the Suspects
According to the Largo Police Department, officers were called to the Enclave Apartments after residents reported juveniles walking the lot and checking vehicle doors. K-9 Bruce was brought in and, following a track, located and apprehended one suspect in a backyard. Officers later found a second juvenile and took that individual into custody.
Police say a taser reported stolen from a vehicle was recovered, and one of the juveniles was armed with a knife during the incident.
Police Message to Residents
In the department's video reel, officers used the bust as a reminder to residents to lock their vehicles and report anything that looks off, even if it feels minor in the moment. The department notes that tips and information for non-emergencies can be directed to the Communications Center at 727-587-6730, listed on the city's Largo Police Department page.
Not an Isolated Problem
The incident at the Enclave Apartments is part of a broader pattern officers say they are watching closely. In late May, as detailed in a recent report, Largo police pursued a group accused of checking car door handles and ultimately recovered multiple loaded handguns after a K-9 search.
Local officers say those cases line up with a trend they see nationally, where opportunistic thieves look for unlocked vehicles and quick grabs, prompting repeated reminders about basic security.
How Residents Can Help
Police are asking anyone with doorbell cameras or other security systems near the Enclave Apartments to review their footage for images that might show the suspects or any related vehicles. Tips can be reported to the Largo Police Communications Center non-emergency line at 727-587-6730, and residents are urged to call 911 if they see a crime in progress.
For more information on crime-prevention programs and neighborhood safety resources, the department directs residents to the Crime & Theft Prevention sections of the city website.
Officers say the simplest deterrent is still the most effective: close and lock vehicle doors and keep valuables out of sight. Anyone with information about the Enclave incident is asked to contact the Largo Police Communications Center at 727-587-6730.
