SPRING HILL – The Target Department Store located on Commercial Way was the “target” of an early morning smash-and-grab burglary that led to a near 100 mile, high-speed pursuit into the Orlando area.
Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis met with reporters this morning where he described how a group of Orlando based thieves committed the brazen heist.
According to Sheriff Nienhuis, around 2:30 this morning Deputies were alerted to a commercial burglary in progress at the Target Department Store. Before Deputies arrived on the scene the suspects had already fled the area but were spotted a short time later by a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper traveling eastbound on Hwy 50.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the Trooper initiated a pursuit and followed the BMW Sports-Utility Vehicle to I-75 where the vehicle headed north for several miles. The suspects then turned around and headed towards Orlando via the Florida Turnpike split. The pursuit continued until they reached the Windsor Cove Apartments in Orlando where the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. None of the suspects were captured; however, Sheriff Nienhuis says most if not all of the merchandise was recovered.
Nienhuis says this morning’s burglary is related to several other burglaries that have occurred around Hernando and surrounding counties. He also believes the suspects are mostly juveniles but says “These are true criminals, they’re thugs and it was well thought out.”
Nienhuis voiced concern and disappointment with the juveniles who are committing these crimes, stating “Most of us think of juveniles who make stupid mistakes and deserve a second chance but But when you have a group of individuals that are going out of their way to commit crimes, and do it in a very organized fashion, they should be treated much more severely than your average juvenile who makes a stupid mistake.”
The investigation continues…
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A 100 mile high speed pursuit and these [email protected] were not apprehended, what’s with that. Why weren’t they shot or wrecked, so some dumbass kid is a better driver than a trained state trooper?
Yup smh got out drove son.🚙🚁⚠🚜
Roll down metal doors?
There is no reason where they were not stopped in 70 miles that I can see.
I’ve said for years, they should drop a small tactical nuke on Pine Hills to eliminate half the crime in central Florida.
Wee hours of the morning, the chase went by my buddy and i who are both truck drivers that were headed to Orlando. It was a dk grn suv, with a suv cop on his butt. They went flying by us like we were sitting still. I wonder why the cops dont get on ch 19 and ask /tell truckers to help. I have no problem going 3 wide and blocking road to stop these idiots. We do it for drunk drivers.We box them in until cops get there. Just saying.
you are 100% right this chase could have been stopped before is even got out of hernando cty. Al use your resources, there are a lot of people ready , willing and ABLE to help. JUST ASK…
They do that where im from here you might get arrested
Hell Yeah!! Gotta work together!!
If its by that Christmas town use a big one
please tell me there is a different version to this.. they drove all the way to orlando and still all got away? spike strips ? road block? nothing? was this more an escort back to their hood than anything? Teaching criminals if you run you get away. They are probably laughing smoking a blunt drinking some ol english planning their next hit.
There are no words for this getaway smh
Thank you Marcie! Good to know you’re out there and willing to help!
Funny how the Hernando county sheriff’s dept. Gets all the credit when it was a lone FHP officer having to basically pursue theses thugs with very little help all the way to Orlando! Hat’s off to the FHP!!
I moved here from Orlando 7 years ago after living there 30 years to escape the Orlando/ Ocoee/Pine Hills POS thugs!!!! What a shame they are heading this way!!
Black lives matter