Orange County neighborhood on high alert after dozens of recent break-ins

Residents of Fairview Shores have been on high alert since being inundated by burglaries and break-ins in recent weeks.

More than 20 homes have been broken into, along with dozens of cars, residents said.

Resident Rachel Elliot’s home has been broken into twice in the past month and thieves stole her TV both times, she told Channel 9.

“I was literally gone for an hour,” she said.

A neighbor found Elliot’s dog roaming the streets after the break-in. Elliot said it’s at least the 25th break-in within the last several weeks.

Resident Christina Love’s dog was missing after her home was broken into last Thursday.

The dog was later found, but Love lost many of her valuables.

“Our bedroom was completely destroyed,” she said. “They stole a little over $1,000 from us.”

She and her family worry the crimes will continue.

“They didn’t take any electronics, which makes us scared they may actually come back for more,” Love said.

Residents told Channel 9 they believe the burglars have been driving around in a white Mercedes and a brown Buick.

Resident Mark Howard has lived in the neighborhood west of Interstate 4 and south of Lee Road since the 1960s.

“People are getting fed up with this,” he said.

He hopes more deputies will patrol the neighborhood in the mornings.

A spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in an email the agency is very aware of the criminal activity and is applying resources.

Cox Media Group