This week on Cops Corner officers put out dumpster fires, investigated stolen vehicles and tackled a mysterious threat on Whatsapp.
Nov. 23
Freight-hopping frauder
2600 block of James L. Redman Pkwy
Fraud: This victim told officers that he lost his railroad visa debit card the day before and it had already been used several times since he realized it was missing.
Purrfect escape
3500 block of W. Reynolds St.
Theft with a waiver signed: A teenage boy ran up to this victim’s front porch and swiped the owner’s cat house. Tucking the house under his arm he fled the scene in an unknown vehicle. The victim signed a waiver of prosecution not wanting to continue the investigation.
Nov. 24
Bust the windows out ya car
600 block of W. Ball
Criminal mischief: The victim told officers she parked her 2014 Ford Edge that had a Florida tag around 8 p.m. When she woke up the next morning she was greeted with the sight of shattered glass. Her passenger rear window had been completely smashed, which cost approximately $400.
Burn baby burn
200 block of W. Alexander St.
Arson: An unknown suspect snuck behind the Premiere Cinema 8 and started two dumpster fires behind the movie theater. Plant City Fire Department and officers from Plant City Police Department were able to bring the fire under control using fire extinguishers before any major damage was done.
Nov. 25
A dairy-ing heist
2200 block of N. Park Rd.
Theft: A pint of milk and two energy drinks, which valued $7.47, were stolen from the store.
Hidden in plain sight
2600 block of James L. Redman Pkwy
Retail petit theft: An unknown man put a variety of items into his shopping cart as he strolled around Wal-Mart. Eventually, he racked up $268 worth of cargo and then calmly walked past the check-out registers and right out the building without paying for the items.
Nov. 26
Mischief Mondays
700 block of E. Dr. King Blvd.
Criminal mischief: This victim told officers that the night before someone had broken her home window and then slit the tires to her vehicle.
Double doozy
300 block of E. Calhoun St.
Burglary and stolen motorcycle: This victim went to a towing establishment to retrieve an impounded motorcycle. However, upon arriving the owner and the business stumbled upon a troubling sight. They found someone had snuck onto the business property and stolen the bike.
Nov. 27
Towing woes
300 block of E. Calhoun St.
Burglary and grand theft auto: During the early morning someone snuck into this towing company and stole an impounded Chevrolet Malibu, which was owned by Enterprise Rental company. The car had been a previously recovered stolen vehicle. Along with help from HCSO, PCPD units recovered the stolen car and took it back to the towing facility.
Nov. 28
Unlocked, unprotected
1500 block of Plantation Grove Ct.
Vehicle burglary: An unknown suspect, or suspects, entered 11 unlocked vehicles at this apartment complex, taking a variety of miscellaneous items. All of the cars were targeted between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Close shave
400 block of N. Alexander St.
Theft: A CVS employee told officers that $552.82 worth of razors were stolen from the store.
Nov. 29
Anger management
600 block of N. Wiggins Rd.
Criminal mischief, RAWOV: A man was arrested for kicking a vehicle and causing more than $1,000 worth of damage to the car. He was also found with marijuana. Officers charged him with criminal mischief, possession of marijuana and resisting arrest without violence. It was later found he also had two HCSO VOP warrants for burglary.
Wacko Whatapp
Plantation Grove Ct
Information report: An unknown subject sent a threatening video to the victim via the “Whatapp.” The subject demanded the victim pay money or the victim would “get what was observed in the videos,” which showed people being shot and hurt. However, the subject never said how much money to send or where to send it. The victim didn’t know if it was a prank, scam or a serious threat.
