A white male believed to be in his 20s or 30s was caught burglarizing a vehicle in the Sugarmill Woods area of Homosassa at 1:42 a.m. last Wednesday, and now the Citrus County Sheriff's Office wants the public's help putting a name to his face. Deputies describe the man as standing roughly 5'10 to 6'2, and they have released a bulletin asking anyone who recognizes him to come forward.
The request, posted by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office on Facebook, lists the case as number 2026-00008102 and bulletin number 2026-093. Anyone with information is asked to call the department's tip line at 352-249-2790. Those who prefer to stay anonymous, and who may be eligible for a cash reward, can instead contact Crime Stoppers of Citrus County at 1-888-269-8477 or through its website.
A Deed-Restricted Community Near Homosassa
Sugarmill Woods is a roughly 2,100-acre master-planned, deed-restricted community founded in 1972 in unincorporated Citrus County near Homosassa, organized into three residential villages — Cypress Village, Oak Village, and Southern Woods, according to K2 Sells. The community's size and layout make it one of several Citrus County neighborhoods where deputies have been tracking a steady stream of opportunistic vehicle break-ins.
This case follows a similar pattern reported elsewhere in the county. Hoodline previously identified suspects in Citrus Springs break-ins after a separate investigation into multiple vehicle burglaries targeting unsecured cars led deputies to three juvenile suspects. It is not known whether the Sugarmill Woods case is connected to that earlier string of incidents.
Unlocked Cars Drive Most Break-Ins Countywide
Citrus County Sheriff David Vincent reported in a January update that the agency investigated 139 vehicle break-in reports in 2025, with 118 of those involving unlocked vehicles and all 22 stolen firearms taken directly from cars that had not been secured. The sheriff's office has also cited historical data showing that between 85% and 88% of all vehicle burglaries countywide involve unlocked vehicles, a trend that has fueled the department's recurring “Lock It or Lose It” public safety campaigns.
It remains unknown whether the vehicle burglarized in Sugarmill Woods was locked or unlocked, and investigators have not said whether any property or firearms were taken. Vincent, sworn in as the 13th Sheriff of Citrus County in January 2025 after more than 27 years with the agency, has continued to push the same message that has anchored the department's outreach: opportunistic thieves are typically looking for the easiest target, and an unlocked door is often all it takes.
What Charges Could Follow
Under Florida Statute Section 810.02, burglary of an unoccupied vehicle is classified as a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $5,000, according to the Law Offices of David J. Sobel P.A. That statute applies whenever any part of a suspect's body enters a vehicle with criminal intent, regardless of whether anything is ultimately taken. If investigators determine that stolen property from the vehicle was worth $750 or more, additional grand theft charges could apply under Florida Statute Section 812.014, a threshold the state legislature raised from $300 in 2019, per the Law Office of John Guidry P.A.
How to Submit a Tip
Anyone with information on the Sugarmill Woods case can call the sheriff's office's Criminal Investigations Division tip line or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Citrus County, which operates a 24/7 tip program and the P3 Tips mobile app. A volunteer civilian board reviews cases monthly and can award payouts of up to $3,000 for tips that lead to an arrest. Florida residents can also dial **TIPS from any mobile device to be automatically routed to their local Crime Stoppers program, according to My Florida Legal.
The sheriff's office also offers proactive tools for residents hoping to avoid becoming the next victim, including its Combat Auto Theft program and residential security watch requests through its Crime Prevention unit. The Sugarmill Woods case comes the same week deputies issued another public bulletin seeking help locating a missing Crystal River teenager, underscoring how frequently the agency is turning to the public for tips on active cases.
