GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gainesville Police Department and the Alachua County Sheriff's Office are jointly investigating three home invasion robberies dating back to June.
Those involved may also be responsible for several daytime home burglaries, investigators said.
Recommended Videos
In each of the home invasion robberies, the robbers have been armed with handguns and have tied up the occupants of the home, investigators said. They said in all the cases, the robbers have stolen property and the victims' vehicle.
The first robbery happened June 27 in the 1900 block of Northwest 45th Avenue in Gainesville. The occupants were tied up and a red Nissan 350Z was stolen, investigators said. It was later found near the 1000 block of Northwest 21st Avenue.
The second robbery happened Sept. 6 in the 5200 block of Northwest 49th Lane in Gainesville. The occupants were tied up and a white Ford Explorer was stolen, investigators said. That vehicle was recovered in a remote, densely wooded area in the 21000 block of North State Road 235 near the city of La Crosse.
The latest robbery happened Wednesday in the 4900 block of Northwest 38th Street in Gainesville. The occupants were tied up and a white Subaru Legacy was stolen, investigators said. The vehicle was found Thursday morning near the intersection of Northeast 21st Street and Northeast 156th Avenue in the Monteocha area, investigators said.
Anyone who may have been in the Monteocha area and witnessed the car or anyone around it is asked to call the Gainesville Police Department.
During the most recent robbery, the robbers stole a blue female parakeet, investigators said. The parakeet was nesting on her eggs in a black cage. Detectives are attempting to obtain a photograph of the parakeet and cage.
At this time, all victims have described the robbers as being three black men wearing ski-type masks and gloves and armed with handguns.
Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity they witness. Investigators say residents should keep their doors locked and never unlock them for someone they don't know, keep garage doors shut, and watch out for neighbors.
Call the Gainesville Police Department or the Alachua County Sheriff's Office to schedule a Crime Watch meeting for your neighborhood.
Anyone who provides information on the home invasion robberies that leads to an arrest and seizure of a firearm is eligible for a $1,000 cash reward through the Alachua County Gun Bounty Program. The gun bounty callers can remain anonymous throughout the process by calling Crime Stoppers at 352-372-STOP (7867) or the Gainesville Police Department's tip line at 352-393-7700, where they are also eligible for a cash reward.