Investigators believe the same group of suspects is targeting local veteran organizations.
- Hernando, Pasco sheriff's offices form task force to catch VFW thieves
- Several veterans organizations burglarized in Holiday
- RELATED: Brazen burglar steals $10,000 from American Legion post
It all started at the American Legion Post in Holiday in December where thieves broke in through the roof and stole a safe with $10,000 inside.
Most recently, they broke into American Legion Post 335 in Holiday, stealing money out of the quarter machine and leaving behind $4,500 in damage.
Deputies arrived as the thieves were leaving, but during a police chase they crashed the car and fled on foot.
"We aren’t here to make money, we are here to get money to give back to the veterans,” James St. Denis at Post 335 said. “When they destroy it and we have to put money in the house, it’s not helping the veterans."
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office have formed a joint task force.
"These individuals, it is a slap in the face to keep going back to the same businesses or same VFW business and that’s why we put together a task force to reach out and apprehend these suspects,” Sgt. Chris Thomas with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said.
Investigators said since the first burglary in December, the thieves are getting more brazen.
"It’s concerning they are on a crime spree so to speak,” Thomas said. “Adding a mask to that, adding a stolen vehicle, adding a pursuit to these type of offenses definitely raises the level."
Almost all of the posts have the thieves on tape and they hope the footage eventually leads to an arrest.
"They’re bums you know?” St. Denis said. “They’re worthless and like I told the police bring them by here before you take them to the station and we will show them how veterans feel about what they’re doing to their posts."
If you have any information you’re asked to call the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 847-5878.