Police looking for teen seen riding bike near West Tampa burglaries

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Tampa police are looking for a teen seen riding a bicycle in the area of several burglaries in West Tampa.

TPD says detectives believe the suspect rode his bike from house to house, breaking in through unlocked windows.

Police say the teen could be involved in nine burglaries this month, including five on Sunday, July 22.

In several of the burglaries, the suspect entered the home through an unlocked window. In another, police say he got in through an unlocked garage door. 

He has stolen cash, credit cards, and checks. In some cases, the home was ransacked but police aren't sure if anything of value was taken.

In one recent case, a homeowner told police he saw and spoke to the suspect, who was walking along his property line at the time. The homeowner said the suspect spoke Spanish.

The young man described as a black male, 16 or 17 years old, with an afro, last seen wearing light-colored shorts, black tennis shoes, and a black backpack. 

He has been spotted riding a mountain bike by surveillance cameras in the area. 

In the video, the suspect is seen riding a bike and approaching a house in the 4400 block of N Tampania Avenue on July 22. He seems to see the camera and then quickly turns around.

Police say moments after the video was taken, he rode into a driveway on the same block and broke in through an unlocked window.

Anyone with any information regarding the identity and whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477) or report anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com.