Multiple Auto Burglaries Reported

Recent reports from Tampa Police Districts 2 and 3:

Sept. 21

• An attempted truck theft was reported at the Home Depot parking lot at 8815 N. Florida Ave. The culprit forced entry and tried to tamper with the ignition of a Ford F250 truck, but failed to get the vehicle started. The suspect was seen leaving as a passenger in a white Ford F250 with four doors.
• An auto burglary was reported at TNA Automotive, 1717 E. Busch Blvd. The culprit cut open the convertible's top and ransacked the interior. Nothing was taken.
• An attempted burglary was reported at the 7300 block of North Highland Avenue. The broke several window panes but did not gain entry.

Sept. 24

• A 1992 Nissan Maxima was reported stolen from the 1900 block of East Clinton Street.
• A burglary was reported at the 7200 block of North 12th Street. The victim was in his living room when he heard his porch screen door open. When he came out, he found his bicycle missing. The bike was found abandoned in front of a home at the 1000 block of East Crawford Street.

Sept. 25

• A burglary was reported at the Independent Café, 5016 N. Florida Ave. The culprit broke a side window to gain entry, but in doing so was cut and failed to enter the business. Blood droplets were found trailing north along Florida Avenue to West Crest Avenue.
• A burglary was reported at the 200 block of East Frances Street. The culprit entered via an unlocked patio door and took two laptop computers, a video game and speakers.
• A car theft was reported at the 800 block of East New Orleans Avenue.

Sept. 26

• A purse snatching was reported Monday about 10:50 a.m. near the intersection of North Marks Street and East Waters Avenue. After exiting a bus on Waters, the victim was approached from behind by a man who grabbed her pocketbook and ran west. The pocketbook contained medication, a Social Security Card and other forms of identification valued at $128. The suspect was described as a black male, 29-30 years old, with a dark complexion and twits in his hair. He was stocky and wore LSW denim shorts.
• A burglary was reported about 2 p.m. at the 8700 block of North 13th Street. The suspect tried to take a ladder. He was described as about 50 years old with gray and black facial hair, wearing denim shorts, a yellow or and a white T-shirt. A witness said he is often in the neighborhood pushing a lawn mower around.
• Two women who went to the Orange Motel at 7800 N. Nebraska Ave. at about 12:45 a.m. so that one could buy a handgun were instead robbed by the seller of their jewelry, cell phones and cash. The suspect ran west on East Robson Street. The total amount taken from the women was valued at $4,415. The suspect was described as a black male, possibly going by the nickname of Goo with a light complexion, 25-27 years old with long dreads, "DC" tattooed on his arm, "305" tattooed on his neck and wearing an LSW black T-shirt.
• A woman reported a robbery about 6:27 p.m. at the 7300 block of Bank Drive. She had returned home and was walking toward her door when a man approached and tried to take her purse. The woman resisted and the man pointed a black handgun at her. He grabbed her purse and ran away. The suspect was described as a black male, 20-30 years old, 5-feet-11 inches tall, with a dark complexion and wearing a light gray hat with a patch.