Crime & Safety

Police Officer: 'Be Vigilant For Yourself and Others'

Several vehicles have been stolen and homes and businesses burglarized this month, according to Temple Terrace Police Community Service Officer Ken Stanton.

As the Temple Terrace Police Department’s community service officer, Ken Stanton encouraged residents to be observant in his latest Crime Update.

“As you can see below, the season is upon us for criminals venturing into our community to do wrong,” he said. “Please be vigilant for yourself and others this holiday season.”

Burglary Auto In Progress
8700 block of Temple Terrace Highway
A man was caught breaking into a truck, Stanton said. The truck’s owner restrained the man until police arrived. Arrested was Christopher L. Steinke, 33.

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According to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrest records, Steinke was arrested on Dec. 13 and is being charged with armed burglary of conveyance and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. He is in the Hillsborough jail on $26,000 bond.

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Burglary Business
8000 block of N. 78th Street
Someone entered the location through an unlocked window, Stanton said.

Stolen Vehicle
6906 E. Fowler Ave.
A Budget rental car was not returned, Stanton said. The vehicle was a 2012 Infiniti G37 bearing Florida tag AEYS94.

Stolen Vehicle
11000 block of Skylake Place
A motorcycle was taken sometime during the weekend, Stanton said. The motorcycle was a 2002 Honda CRV954CC bearing Florida tag 4839LI.

Stolen Vehicle
Fisherman’s Landing Apartments
A 2003 Black Honda Black Bird 1100cc M/C was stolen, Stanton said. The Florida tag is 8815LH.

Burglary Residence
8700 block of Orange Leaf Court
Someone forced entry through a window and took electronics, Stanton said.

Burglary
500 block of Courtney Drive
Someone stole two bicycles from open carport, Stanton said.

Stolen Vehicle
8700 block of Orange Oaks Circle
A blue 2004 Jaguar was possibly stolen, Stanton said. The owner possibly forgot where he last parked the vehicle.

Burglary Residence
Brentwood Apartments
Someone broke a back sliding glass door and stole generators from a vacant apartment, Stanton said.

Burglary
8900 block of Orange Oaks Circle
A bicycle was taken from the back patio, Stanton said.

Burglary Business
13000 block of Telecom Drive
Someone pried open a rear door lock of a vacant business and stole copper from several air conditioning units, Stanton said.

Stanton also warned of a scammer targeting TECO customers.

The scammer impersonates a TECO representative and calls customers claiming their accounts are past due, according to a TECO press release. The caller demands the customer buy a prepaid debit card from a local drug store and call back with the card’s number to avoid disconnection.

In about five cases, the scammer ensnared customers, the press release states.

TECO never calls to ask for credit card or debit card numbers, the release states. If you are uncertain about an individual’s association with TECO, you can call 813-223-0800 for verification.

Stanton periodically emails Crime Updates to Temple Terrace residents. To be added to the contact list, email him at KStanton@templeterrace.com.

You can also view daily activity logs from the Temple Terrace Police Department.


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