Business Burglaries Increase In 2021, Police Urge Vigilance

SARASOTA, FL — Business burglaries have increased in the city of Sarasota during the first five months of 2021, Sarasota police shared on social media.

Between Jan. 1 and May 18, there were 31 burglaries of businesses within city limits, police said. That’s a significant jump over the same time last year, which saw only 19 burglaries to businesses between those same dates.

Among the burglaries in 2021, a 15-year-old from Palmetto backed a stolen car into the side of the Bullet Hole Gun Shop to enter the store and steal several firearms in April. The majority of businesses broken into during both years, though, happened because they had unsecured or broken doors, police said.

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Police urged business owner to be extra vigilant, offering tips to keep their businesses secure:

• Always lock your business’ windows and doors.
• Illuminate dark areas.
• Landscape your property for security.
• Install security cameras.
• Remove expensive items from window displays at night.