Surfside residents on edge after rash of burglaries

SURFSIDE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Once again a home has been broken into in the quiet neighborhood of Surfside, making residents more nervous than ever.

Surfside Police said they have been doing all they can do, yet burglaries continue to happen in the neighborhood. As many as nine have occurred in the small community over the last couple of months.

The latest investigation of a possible burglary occurred at a home on 88th Street and Abbot Avenue, Thursday. A Miami Beach crime scene technician arrived on the scene while contractors worked on a window that, residents said, had been broken. Hugo Gomez said he saw that window broken.

Gomez said he was suspicious of two strangers he saw near his neighbor's home. "We have to lock all out doors," he said.

"I just hope that this could be fixed somehow," said another resident, "because this is supposed to be one of the nicest, safest areas."

One Wednesday, a couple was left furious after thieves broke into their South Florida home in broad daylight, Tuesday morning. The homeowner did not want to show her face on camera. "The necklace that my mother gave to all of us … I just want that back, that's all I care about," said the woman with tears in her eyes.

Crooks took precious family jewelry, including a pearl necklace the woman received on her wedding day. "But it's more the sentimental value to the jewelry," said homeowner Eli Ginsburg. "These are pearls that I gave her when we got married, and its tradition that we give the pearls to show the circle of life."

The burglary at the Ginsburgs occurred around 9:30 a.m., off of Harding Avenue. Ginsburg said the thieves took about $25,000 to $30,000 worth in jewelry. "Your sense of security is gone. Someone was in my house, my bedroom, across the street from the police department on a main street, in the middle of day light and could care less," said Ginsburg.

Ginsburg believes the crooks broke into the home through a rear window.

The Surfside Police Department has posted up warning signs alerting residents about the burglaries, and they have also increased their patrols. Surfside Police Officer Marian Valino said, "We've done many, many crime prevention things. We've done meetings with several agencies in the area. We've passed out fliers. We've done code red emergency alerts to the community. We've even been undercover, stopping people in the residential area.

If you have any information on this latest burglary or any other Surfside burglary, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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