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Police: Thieves steal rent checks from Kissimmee apartment complexes

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Kissimmee police are looking for the burglars they said stole rent checks and money orders from drop boxes in five apartment communities.

Police said between May 2-5 close to 40 checks and money orders were stolen from the Gables at Lakeside, Belleza Apartments, Tiffany Square Apartments, The Park at Sorrento, and the Regatta Bay communities.

Video surveillance at one of the communities captured the thieves in the act, police said.

In the video, the thieves arrive just before 4:18 a.m., and one acts as a lookout while the other uses a coat hanger with a sticky substance on the end to drag the checks out of the drop boxes, officers said.

“The last thing you want to hear is, ‘Oh, you have to pay your rent again,’” said resident Albert Dangerfield. “When we want to pay rent we think it’s safe to drop it off.”

Several apartment managers would not tell WFTV if residents will have to pay rent a second time.

Police passed out fliers at all the communities, warning residents of the thefts.

They urged them to bring all rent deposits to the office and avoid using the drop boxes.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.