11 vehicles burglarized, 3 stolen in one day on Marco Island

Eleven vehicles were burglarized and another three stolen Sunday on Marco Island, police say.

The vehicles were parked on Echo Circle, Bluebird Avenue, Columbus Way, Wayne Avenue, Yellowbird Street, Riverhead Avenue, Tahiti Road, and Worthington Street, according to the Marco Island Police Department.

Police said it appears that each vehicle was unlocked, with the keys inside.

In one of the vehicle burglaries, at least one handgun was taken: a black Taurus 9mm.

One of the stolen vehicles was recovered Sunday morning in St. Petersburg. Still missing are a gray Hyundai Santa Fe with Florida tag 637RVA, and a red Chevrolet Camaro with black racing stripes and Florida tag PVDG99.

Gene Duggan is feeling lucky. “They could’ve took my Ray-bans they’re 100 bucks!”

Duggan lives on one of eight streets on Marco Island where 11 cars were broken into and three were stolen.

He, like all the others, left his doors unlocked. “We noticed the police walking up the street and I was stopped up over here and then I find out the side door of my truck is left open,” said Duggan.

He’s feeling lucky because thieves didn’t take anything from his truck. But for another vehicle owner, their 9MM handgun was stolen.

Bonnie Draper lives on Marco Island, too. “I don’t know why anybody would have a gun in the car to begin with if your car is unlocked that’s not safe,” she said.

Draper has lived here for ten years and has always felt safe walking through her neighborhood before the sun comes out. Now, not so much. “I’m concerned now. I might wait until a little later,” said Draper.

She believes the thieves chose her neighborhood because it is close to island’s exit. “I don’t think it was somebody local,” Draper said. “They maybe said ‘gee, we can get away with some things get across the bridge and be gone.'”

Duggan says it’s a shame that this happened. “It’s too bad that there’s people out there that do that I don’t know maybe they should get a job,” said Duggan.

MIPD released the above photo showing the suspects and their vehicles.

Those who live on this island simply hope that justice will be served.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Marco Island Police Department at 239-389-5050.