Suspects Sought In Car Burglaries At Orange Theory Gyms, Park

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is seeking suspects in a rash of car break-ins that took place throughout the county Tuesday.

Between 6:15 and 6:30 a.m., five vehicles “were forcibly broken into” while their owners worked out inside the Orange Theory Fitness at 5235 University Parkway. Some cars had their windows broken, and the victims found burglars had stolen purses, identification, cash, credits cards and a phone from inside the cars, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

The phone was later located at University Parkway in the median just east of I-75 after the victim’s spouse called and pinged it, deputies said.

That same day, between 6:15 and 6:55 a.m., four vehicles outside the Orange Theory Fitness at 5478 Lena Road were also broken into. The windows were smashed on all four vehicles and hard drives and purses containing credit cards and other items were taken from three of the vehicles, the sheriff’s office said.

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Later Tuesday, between 4 and 5:05 p.m., suspects broke the windows of three cars parking at Bob Gardner Park at 2710 White Eagle Blvd., stealing purses from the vehicles.

Thieves attempted to use the credit cards stole from Bob Garner Park at the Walgreens on State Road 64/Upper Manatee River Road. Each transaction was declined, though, the sheriff’s office said.

Based on surveillance footage, the suspects attempting to use the stolen credit cards are men driving a late model silver C-Class Mercedes Benz, possibly a 2021 CLA 250 Coupe, deputies said.

Anyone with information is asked to call MCSO at 941-747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS (8477).