Crime & Safety

Conversation Was Cover for Foiled Burglary, Cops Say

Hillsborough County deputies are looking for help to identify a man and a woman they say attempted to break into an Odessa home.

Editor's note: This happened in nearby Odessa, but we wanted to pass it along so Lutz residents could keep their eyes out for these folks.

To passersby a conversation between a woman with a dog and a man on an Odessa street probably seemed innocent enough.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies, however, say the man and woman were attempting to break into a home at 19714 Wyndmill Circle in Odessa.

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The creative crime took place around 8:27 p.m. Aug. 14 when deputies say a man and a woman were seen walking a dog outside the home. They carried on a conversation in the home’s driveway and the woman then went up to the door and knocked. When no one answered, she left with the dog.

The man, deputies say, stayed behind and proceeded to try and break into the home through windows and the back porch. The crime was foiled when a passing car scared the man while he was trying to gain access to the home’s garage, an email from the sheriff’s office said.

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Now, deputies want to talk to that couple and they’re looking for some help from area residents.

The woman is described as being between 18 and 21 years of age. She’s about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds. The woman has sandy-colored hair and was last seen wearing a black shirt with a panda on the front and back. She also had on dark blue capri pans and sandals.

The man is described as being between 22 and 29 years of age. He is about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 165 pounds. He has a medium build and has a tattoo on the base of his neck. The man was last seen wearing plaid shorts, sandals and a Tampa Bay Rays ball cap.

Anyone with information about the couple is asked to call 813-247-8200. Tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), www.crimestopperstb.com or by texting "CSTB plus your tip" to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637).


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