Attempted Break In

Dear Neighbors:
In a effort to keep our VI residents safe, I am writing to inform you about some incidents that happened last week.

Last Thursday evening there were a series of attempted vehicle and residential break-ins on Hawaii and Carolina Aves. The last of these occurred on the south end of Carolina Ave. as an individual attempted to gain access into an occupied residence with a locked front door by banging on the door demanding to be let into “his house.”  The SPPD was called and the individual was arrested and detained; however, the residents and their four children were justifiably terrified.  Alcohol and/or mental instability likely played a role in this incident.

Several reasons why this info is being communicated:

• First and foremost is to make all residents aware of this incident;
• Second is to reinforce the importance of locking your car and home doors;
• Third is to request that those with Ring, or other such cameras, check your footage to see if there was a male with a black ball cap, black pants and white shirt captured on any images on August 24 between 6:00pm and 9:30pm, particularly those on Hawaii and Carolina; and,
• Finally, to let you know that this individual was released from detention on Saturday afternoon with an ankle bracelet and warned to remain away from VI.  Please be vigilant as he may return to VI, although that may be a low probability.

A copy of the arrest photo is shown below.  If you see this individual in VI please call 911 immediately.
Please contact me at 727-560-3655 or email me at [email protected] if you have any questions or information that can be turned over to the SPPD.  Venetian Isles remains a safe community and the purpose of this communication is not to alarm but to keep residents aware.

Thank you.

​Rich Scanlon
VIHA President