Clermont police seek gang in 4 burglaries

Nearly a dozen people made off with hundreds of dollars worth of electronics and wine in a string of burglaries in Clermont early Thursday, police said.

Beginning just after 3 a.m., police were alerted to break-ins minutes apart at four businesses, said Clermont Police Sgt. Shane Strickland. Police suspect 11 people and three vehicles, including a stolen vehicle from Orange County, were involved. Cash registers were targeted in the burglaries, he said.

Four masked and hooded males are seen in video surveillance shattering the glass door at Pizzano’s Pizza, 1120 E. S.R. 50, using a window punch device, police said. Footage shows two of the males disconnecting a cash register; another man searches the restaurant and leaves with a tablet. A fourth male, wearing all white clothing and a yellow mask, is seen taking a soda can out of a fridge. Seconds later the four individuals leave through the shattered door.

In another video at Wine Regions, 2423 U.S. Highway 27, several individuals are seen running through aisles and collecting bottles of alcohol. At least eight males were seen entering the store on a surveillance video.

At Moe’s Southwest Grill, 2823 U.S. Highway 27, a delivery driver was in the back freezer when he heard a loud noise, police said. The employee walked to the front of the restaurant where he told police he saw two masked and hooded males near the cash register, according to a police report. One of the masked males saw the employee and fled.

A break in was attempted at Jersey Mike’s Subs, 2441 U.S. Highway 27, but an interior glass pane wasn’t broken.

The individuals are wanted on charges of burglary and grand theft.

Police ask anyone with information 352-536-8418 or Crimeline at 800-423-8477. to call