A burglary suspect is becoming more violent in Orange County, so deputies are counting on neighborhood tips to get him off the streets.
Deputies said the man has been burglarizing apartments and homes along South Texas Avenue for the past month.
They released a composite sketch Tuesday. Victims told deputies the man had a Creole accent.
To say neighbors at the Millennium Palms Condos are fed up is an understatement.
“At the end of the day, I will [leave] because a lot of people feel like they’re stuck when they purchase a place but I can’t put my credit over my life and my son’s life,” said Carmel Rouzier, who has lived and owned a condo at Millennium Palms for nearly 10 years.
“My life comes first. If I have to let it go, I’ll let it go,” Rouzier added.
That’s because in the latest of seven burglaries, deputies said the suspect went into a woman’s condo at Millennium Palms through an unlocked sliding door on Monday morning.
According to an incident report, the suspect pulled a gun on her and told the woman he would shoot her if her three-year-old son did not stop crying.
Afterwards, deputies believe the man simply walked out of the complex.
Residents said that’s the problem with their gated community. Most of the time it’s not actually secure because the front gate is open, which would give a criminal easy access.
“It is extremely bold and extremely alarming to us and that’s why we’re trying to get this information out there to keep other residents and homeowners in that area safe,” explained Orange County Sheriff’s Office Detective Kathleen Ela.
Neighbors are hoping someone turns him in before someone gets hurt.
“Bullets don’t have eyes. Those bullets could go through the walls like candy,” Rouzier said.
We reached out to the Millennium Palms Condos to see what they plan to do to improve security. We haven’t heard back yet.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477).