Alleged burglar strikes unlocked Sanibel condos

SANIBEL, Fla. – A man has targeted beach-front condos in a string of burglaries over the last week; residents may be making his attempts easier.

At least three of the burglaries have occurred on East Gulf Drive and West Gulf Drive in unlocked condominiums, the Sanibel Police Department said. Police are raising concern because the suspect, described as a tall, slim man, is entering homes while people are asleep.

“They’re coming in from the Gulf side. They’re coming in through unlocked doors and two of these condominiums have been occupied when the perpetrator entered and they’ve stolen computers and wallets out of the rooms,” said Police Chief Bill Tomlinson.

Many residents, like Patrick Cornwall, said they are shocked by the recent crimes on an island.

“It just stinks,” Cornwall said. “It’s kind of the way of the world these days, but it seems like Sanibel would be exempt from that.”

Tomlinson suggests people forget their perceptions of a crime-free island and begin to lock their doors.

“We’d like to think that we’re crime-free but the reality is there are a lot of crimes of opportunity generally theft on Sanibel,” Tomlinson said. “And we just encourage everyone to lock their doors and make sure they keep their belongings in a safe or on their person.”

One visitor the the island admitted that she does not lock her doors.

“I feel like it’s very safe here usually,” Maggie Scherer said. “We never really lock our door.”

Police are still looking for the burglary suspect and hoping for additional clues to identify him.