Stoneybrook Neighborhood Watch

Stoneybrook Neighborhood Watch was organized in February 2008. Stoneybrook residents completed a four-part training course presented by the Crime Prevention Section of the Manatee Sheriff’s Office (Crime Watch Works, Residential Burglary, Identity Theft, and Personal Safety). Members chose to operate as the “eyes and ears” of the community, without organizing patrols. The focus is on distributing important information to prevent crime and to notify the Sheriff’s Office about suspicious activity. Information packets with a cover memo and procedures for contacting the Sheriff’s office were shared with Stoneybrook friends and neighbors. They also are available in the Rec Center office.

Meetings are held on the second Monday of even-numbered months (except June & August) at 6:30 p.m. in the Rec Center. For more information, contact our Co-Chairs:

Philip Martinetti (749-6336) philipmartinetti@yahoo.com
Gene Aulenbach (750-0437) graulen1@msn.com

Burglary Suspect Arrested

A Stoneybrook resident alleged to be responsible for 11 burglaries (including a $36,000 jewelry theft) was arrested on July 27 in Stoneybrook. The following details were obtained from a press release from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office:

On Tuesday, July 27, 2010, COPS North began daytime surveillance on known burglary suspects in the North 70 area. At approximately 2:40 PM, the suspect was observed leaving his residence located in the 9000 block of Willowbrook Circle in Heritage Harbour, riding a bicycle and carrying a backpack. Deputies followed the suspect and observed him casing houses. He went to a residence on Brookfield Terrace and began to walk around the house. When a pool cleaning company arrived at that location, the suspect left and went across the street to another residence. He walked around the rear of the residence, picked up a brick paver, and entered the pool cage. After unsuccessful attempts to break windows and gain access to the house, he entered through an unlocked rear slider. After a few minutes, the suspect left the residence and started to ride away on his bike.

Deputies attempted to apprehend him as he rode down Golden Harbour Trail, but he fled on foot. A K9 was released and bit him on his buttocks, which resulted in him surrendering. A search of his backpack revealed several jewelry boxes and a bottle of prescription medication. Contact was made with a victim from Kingsbury Place, who identified all of the property in suspect's possession as theirs. Contact was also made with a victim from Brookfield Terrace. Both victims stated that the suspect did not have permission to be at the houses. The suspect was interviewed post Miranda and admitted to a total of 11 residential burglaries, including one in River Club where $36,000 worth of jewelry was taken. Video

Recent Thefts from Garages

There have been several daytime incidents in Stoneybrook at Heritage Harbour where a white male was observed entering open garage doors and stealing golf clubs. In one incident the suspect hid the golf clubs in a foreclosed home's lanai.

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is working hard to address these recent incidents. The fastest way to eliminate these incidents is through a Partnership between the Community and the Sheriff's Office. Community involvement is as simple as a few easy steps:

Remove valuables from your vehicle and secure them when unattended.

Keep your garage door closed when the garage area will be left unattended for any period of time.

Report any suspicious activity immediately. Suspicious activity should be reported by calling 911 and providing as much information as possible.

Know Your Money

Why were dozens of Stoneybrook residents holding up paper money to examine it under the lights at the April 12th Neighborhood Watch meeting? They were listening to Ron Kelemen, a retired Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service, describe the protective features on genuine U.S. bills to distinguish them from counterfeit. After a brief history of the U.S. Secret Service, Ron described the specialized paper and printing processes used by the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. About $130-200 million in counterfeit U.S. currency circulates worldwide, with 60% produced overseas. The most popular bills to counterfeit are the $20 in the U.S. and the $100 overseas. Ron recommends comparing a suspect bill with another of the same denomination, feeling the sharpness of the printing. Other features such as red and blue fibers, a vertical security thread, water marks, and "color shifting" are important. Ron distributed copies of "Know Your Money," an extremely valuable pamphlet prepared by the Secret Service. Photos and detailed features of currency from $100 down to $5 are described in this important reference for everyone. Extra copies are available by sending an e-mail to Gene Aulenbach (graulen1@msn.com). We thank Ron Kelemen for his dynamic and very interesting presentation to Stoneybrook Neighborhood Watch

Vehicle Burglary Suspects Caught

In the early morning hours today (April 16, 2010), 2 suspects were apprehended after they were observed by deputies working undercover in the area of Greenfield Plantation drive through the area slowly and then leave. After following the vehicle to the area of Summerfield in Lakewood Ranch, undercover deputies observed someone leave the vehicle and proceeded to set up a perimeter. While a deputy was sitting in his undercover vehicle, the suspect on foot tried to burglarize it. When the deputy exited the vehicle and identified himself, the suspect fled. After a foot chase ensued, the suspect hid and was soon located and bit by one of our K-9's. The other suspect was apprehended after a traffic stop a short time later on University Parkway after deputies followed it. One of the two suspects was already wanted on a warrant for burglary and resisting arrest.

Both suspects were booked into the Manatee County Jail on various burglary and resisting related charges. Of course, one of them (Pitts) had to be treated at a local hospital for dog bite injuries before being transported to the jail. Both suspects were young adults.

The helicopter was in the process of responding but both suspects were apprehended by deputies before it made it out of the hangar. There were several undercover patrol cars in the area during the search, which was primarily south of SR 70 and between Lakewood Ranch and River Club Blvd 's.

If you live in the Greenfield Plantation, Summerfield, or River Club areas, please check your vehicles to make sure they were not burglarized. If you find your vehicle was hit, please do not touch it and call us immediately at 747-3011. Hit "0" and ask for a deputy to respond in reference to your vehicle being burglarized.

U.S. CENSUS CRIME ALERT

Be cautious about giving info to Census Workers. With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist?

The BBB offers the following advice:

** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, the Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

More information on the Census is available at http://www.census.gov.

Unpleasant Surprise

Vendors at the Heritage Harbour Garage Sale on February 6 learned that some customers were not what they seemed to be. At least eight counterfeit $20 bills were passed during the sale to unsuspecting vendors. This was the first year that this crime was reported at the garage sale. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office took several of the bills into evidence. One counterfeit bill was received by the Helping Hands table during a coffee purchase.

Lan Janecek, who organized the sale, said that next year’s participants will be warned to be on the lookout for counterfeit bills. The website for the U.S. Secret Service (www.secretservice.gov) contains valuable tips for spotting counterfeit bills (click on “Know Your Money”). Special pens for marking bills can be purchased at Staples and Office Depot, but these pens are not foolproof.

The Stoneybrook Neighborhood Watch group is planning to present a program about counterfeit currency at the next meeting on Monday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Rec Center.

GANGS IN MANATEE COUNTY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

At the Stoneybrook Neighborhood Watch meeting on February 8, several dozen concerned residents learned how the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office works to eliminate gangs and their criminal activity. Detective Mike McClusky and Sergeant Lou Licata described the work of the Gang Suppression Unit. Although the 15 to 20 gangs in the county are concentrated in areas west of I-75, they occasionally come to the east county for criminal activity, such as burglaries, to make money. Detective McClusky gave attendees a handout with extensive descriptions of various types of gangs, specific colors and symbols they use, and the legal method used to prosecute gangs. Instead of prosecuting individuals for specific crimes, the county uses the RICO statute (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act) to completely destroy the gangs. Extensive investigation is required, but successful prosecutions have resulted in lengthy prison sentences.

Gang graffiti may be found in all areas of the county, including our community. Gangs use graffiti to send messages and warnings, as well as to establish their territory. If you see graffiti that you believe may be gang-related, call the county’s Graffiti Hot Line on 941-747-3011, ext. 2596. You will be asked to leave a recorded message with the location and description of the graffiti. If the graffiti is on your property, the county can assist you in removing it. Also, notify the Community Manager about the graffiti. The speakers answered a wide variety of questions, and attendees agreed that they learned a great deal about an important area of law enforcement.

SENIORS VS. CRIME

Where can you turn if you or someone you know over age 50 is the victim if a scam, fraud, or unscrupulous business? Seniors vs. Crime has recovered millions of dollars for seniors and helped law enforcement prosecute the scammers. Founded in 1989, Seniors vs. Crime is a project of the Florida Attorney General’s Office which helps to educate and protect seniors from economic crimes. The project has an office in each county staffed by volunteers and also trains “Senior Sleuths” to assist in gathering valuable information.

In October, Patrick Hanna, Regional Director, and Joe Rowland, Deputy Regional Director, briefed the Stoneybrook Neighborhood Watch group on Seniors vs. Crime programs. Joe gave an impressive demonstration of how easy it is for criminals to steal a personal check (ex. from your mailbox), wash it in acetone to remove the writing, and add new information so the check can be cashed. He recommended using the Signo Uniball 207 pen, which has ink that will not wash away, to write checks.
Lots of valuable information is available at the group’s website: www.seniorsvscrime.com.

Bradenton Office
Seniors vs Crime Project
4148 20th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34205
Open: Tuesday and Thursday
9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Phone: 941-727-5200 and 941- 727-5204
Manager: Mike Fitzpatrick
bradentonseniorsvscrime@hotmail.com