Pasco County deputies are investigating a string of smash and grab burglaries at local businesses.
The suspect – or suspects – haven't gotten away with much, but they left a trail of broken windows and cleanup expenses for business owners.
"They're taking whatever items are available whether it be cash, coins," Sheriff Chris Nocco said at a news conference on Thursday. "They're only in there for several minutes at the most, they're not spending a lot of time and they're getting out of there."
The burglaries started in January and happened between midnight and 6 a.m. at businesses in Port Richey and Hudson.
The latest ones happened last week at a hair salon and pet store in Hudson.
The break-in at new pet store Fancy Tails Exotic Pet Boutique happened the day before the store was scheduled to open for business for the first time. On a surveillance video, a man can be seen coming through the door and using a crow bar to try to open what turned out to be an empty cash box.
"It's just like, what goes through their head?" said Stephen Tippie, owner of Fancy Tails Exotic Pet Boutique. "I mean, you're costing me more money than I even would have had in my drawer."
Tippie said the break-in cost more than $200 between the cost of the broken glass on the door and the damaged cash box.
The store, which sells pet food as well as animals including reptiles and mice, was equipped with cameras. But Tippie says he plans to add even more security after the experience.
The detective working on the case said he believes one or two people are responsible for the burglaries. The sheriff's office released a suspect description of a white male age 30-45, 5-foot-nine to 6 feet tall and weighing 160 to 190 pounds.
The sheriff's office is looking for assistance from the public to identify those responsible.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:57 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:57:07 GMT
A 4-year-old K9 Officer, Ike, with Hernando County Sheriff Office K9 Unit passed away unexpectedly Thursday after an emergency surgery, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told us.
A 4-year-old K9 Officer, Ike, with Hernando County Sheriff Office K9 Unit passed away unexpectedly Thursday after an emergency surgery, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told us.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:44 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:44:14 GMT
Craft breweries from around the country including Tampa's Cigar City Brewing are toasting the troops with a beer aged with a unique ingredient that symbolizes America's pastime - baseball bats.
Craft breweries from around the country including Tampa's Cigar City Brewing are toasting the troops with a beer aged with a unique ingredient that symbolizes America's pastime - baseball bats.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:44:05 GMT
Whether the controversial Lens is ever constructed, the current St. Petersburg Pier is closing. This is the last weekend you can stroll along the iconic landmark or shop inside the inverted pyramid.
Whether the controversial Lens is ever constructed, the current St. Petersburg Pier is closing. This is the last weekend you can stroll along the iconic landmark or shop inside the inverted pyramid.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:34 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:34:55 GMT
The military arm of the Better Business Bureau, BBB Military Line, reminded of possible scams targeting the active and retired military personnel and elderly veterans before the Memorial Day. Karen Nalven,
The military arm of the Better Business Bureau, BBB Military Line, reminded of possible scams targeting the active and retired military personnel and elderly veterans before the Memorial Day. Karen Nalven,
Friday, May 24 2013 12:13 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:13:39 GMT
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 24 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:44:05 GMT
Whether the controversial Lens is ever constructed, the current St. Petersburg Pier is closing. This is the last weekend you can stroll along the iconic landmark or shop inside the inverted pyramid.
Whether the controversial Lens is ever constructed, the current St. Petersburg Pier is closing. This is the last weekend you can stroll along the iconic landmark or shop inside the inverted pyramid.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:29 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:29:23 GMT
Kmart has launched the latest in what appears to be an edgy string of commercials. In April, one of its commercial went viral for a play on words. Explaining the ease of shipping a product to a customer
Kmart has launched the latest in what appears to be an edgy string of commercials. In April, one of its commercial went viral for a play on words. Explaining the ease of shipping a product to a customer
Friday, May 24 2013 5:25 AM EDT2013-05-24 09:25:59 GMT
As jurors in Jodi Arias' murder trial filed one by one from the courtroom after a dramatic five months of gut-wrenching testimony and gruesome photographs.
As jurors in Jodi Arias' murder trial filed one by one from the courtroom after a dramatic five months of gut-wrenching testimony and gruesome photographs.
