BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Break in after break in several Brevard County neighborhoods all seem to have the same trend - first the robber knocks on the front door, then, if nobody answers, they go around back and that's where they make entry.
At least 40 burglaries have been reported over the past couple of months in south Brevard County. Police said the crooks are taking anything that they can carry and are in and out of the house within minutes.
That's why the county's top law enforcement held a press conference Monday afternoon, asking for the public's help. "These are repeat offenders. They're just coming back and back and back until they get arrested," said West Melbourne Police Chief Richard Wiley.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey was also at the press conference and said, "You can't say that this is one specific group. This is once specific concept that others will mimic at times."
Police said the robbers are hitting Melbourne, West Melbourne, and Palm Bay, as well as several beachside communities, and are posing as lawn service employees.
The crooks are leaving folks on edge. Louise Debrino installed a home surveillance system in her Melbourne home soon after the rash of burglaries starting popping up in her neighborhood. She's hoping the cameras will keep the robbers away, but is still scared to leave her own home. "I am concerned," Debrino said. "I don't like leaving the house for too long of a period at a time."
If you see or have seen any suspicious activity going on in your neighborhood, you're asked to call police.