Lido Shores Burglary Update

Home break-ins have been on the increase this year, particularly along North Washington Drive. Lido Shores has not been immune. Just this weekend, Jan Blivas' home on 238 Morningside Drive was burglarized. According to Board member Andrew Vac, who talked with police, the break-in apparently occurred sometime between 4 and 6 pm on Saturday, April 6th.

Jan was away at the time, and when she returned and pulled into her driveway, noticed that her gate and front door were open and her dog came out to greet her. When she went inside, she noticed several of her belongings were piled up, ready to be put in bags. Police theorize that Jan must have surprised the burglars and they ran out the back door.

Jan is a brave woman to have walked in and fortunately she wasn't hurt. She does not have a home
security alarm. According to Andrew, police believe someone is watching for potential homes to burglarize from the street, either on foot, bike or car. Then an accomplice comes in by boat on the waterside and escapes with the stolen property. Most of the break-ins, including eight in the St. Armand's area, have been homes on the water during the daytime.

LSPOA Board President Bob Thill also received an email on Sunday from Pam Erb, who lives at 1320 John Ringling Parkway. She reported a suspicious boat parked just off her dock at 7:30 am. Pam says she has called the police several times in the past three months for suspicious boats, waders and trespassers, and asked that we contact Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino and request a community meeting.

Bob has been in contact with Officer Donzia Franklin, who spoke about the problem at our Annual Membership Meeting in January, as well as with the Sarasota police detective assigned to Lido Shores, Maria Llovio.

Here is a recent email from Detective Llovio to our President Bob Thill about the situation:

We want to reassure you that we are working on this problem and consider it a high priority. We have put together an operation and will be on the Island until we apprehend these people. We encourage your assistance in any way and if you see anything suspicious please call 911 immediately. We also want to encourage you to secure any valuable property in a secure location.

This is my cell phone if you have any questions 809-3009.

Detective Maria Llovio

Sarasota Police Department

Criminal Investigations Division

(941) 364-7336

maria.llovio@sarasotagov.com

Detective Llovio also urged Lido Shores homeowners to always lock your doors and turn on your security alarm systems when leaving your home. The LSPOA Phone Tree was activated Saturday and homeowners received a message about the situation. Bob Thill is also asking all LSPOA members and Lido Shores homeowners to be aware and alert to any suspicious activity and to please report it immediately.