Lexus Stolen During Rash Of Manatee Car Burglaries: Sheriff

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — A silver Lexus SUV was stolen from the 12000 block of Winding Woods Way in Lakewood Ranch sometime Sunday night or early Monday morning after the keys were left inside the vehicle.

This was the start of a rash of car burglaries and thefts Monday, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Around 11:30 a.m. Monday, the stolen Lexus was seen driving around Willow Walk. The suspects, three to four men wearing face masks, were seen leaving the SUV to check the doors on other vehicles in the gated Palmetto community, the sheriff’s office said.

After entering one vehicle in the 3600 block of Mossy Limb Court in Willow Walk, they were confronted by the homeowner. As the suspects drove away in the stolen Lexus, they hit the car they had broken into, the sheriff’s office said. There were no injuries.

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That afternoon, another burglary of an unlocked vehicle was reported in Palmetto’s Oakhurst neighborhood, and the suspects driving the Lexus were later seen burglarizing vehicles in Regency Oaks and Crystal Lakes, the sheriff’s office said. In these cases, the suspects were wearing blue latex gloves.

Deputies also responded to multiple vehicle burglaries in developments off 34th Street West and El Conquistador Boulevard in Bradenton. There were no signs of forced entry and all vehicles appeared to be unlocked, the sheriff’s office said.

These vehicles had their glovebox and center console ransacked, and their door was left open. Wallets, a purse, debit cards, credit cards, spare keys and loose change were stolen.

Later Monday afternoon, the stolen Lexus was seen following a second reported stolen car - a black 2021 Nissan Rogue from the 5400 block of Lansdowne Way in Palmetto. The Nissan was located and recovered unoccupied in St. Petersburg Monday night.

Detectives say these suspects have a common target: vehicles left unlocked. Residents are urged to lock their vehicles, secure their valuables, and never leave a key or fob inside an unlocked vehicle.

No arrests have been made and the investigations continue. Anyone with information, is asked to contact MCSO at 941-747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS (8477).