Hernando County deputies set up a tight perimeter in the area of Pristine Place (Elgin/Barclay) on Monday morning in an effort to capture several burglars suspected of committing a smash and grab burglary at a local business. They asked residents to remain locked inside of their homes.
Deputies say that the Gold-N-Pawnd II - Gun Shop & Gun Range on Mariner Boulevard was burglarized. The call came in just after 4:00 a.m.
Four boys, one of them only 12 years old, tried to break in, but never made it past the steel bars. Three were caught, but the fourth is still out there.
They were chased into a neighborhood not far away.
“It was different. I woke up to an exciting morning,” said Spring Hill resident Nixie Sanseverino.
There were K-9 Units in the area tracking and the Hernando County aviation unit was assisting from above.
Deputies captured three suspects, ranging from 12-16 years of age, in the areas of Hibiscus Springs, Pristine Place, and the Suncoast Parkway and called off the search for a fourth suspect later Monday morning. It was determined that the vehicle used in the crime was reported stolen from the Orlando area.
Due to the police activity in the area, the Hernando School District stated the following schools were placed on lock-down: Challenger K-8, Nature Coast Technical High School, and Chocachatti Elementary.
Due to HCSO activity in the area, the following sites have placed on lock-down:
CK8, NCTHS, CES, Transportation Dept.— Hernando Schools (@HernandoSchools) June 19, 2017
Just after 11 a.m. the lockdown was lifted and the schools were given the all clear.
A CodeRED message was sent to all area residents about the manhunt.
The perimeter is in the area of Pristine Place subdivision.
In recent months we’ve seen several brazen robberies of gun stores around Tampa Bay.
