Serial burglar hitting South Tampa homes

TAMPA (FOX 13) - The man Tampa Police referred to as a well-dressed burglar is striking homes in South Tampa again, but this time investigators say they've discovered he's not working alone.

Police say the Hispanic man, seen in surveillance video back in April wearing a button-down shirt, has targeted at least 16 homes since March. They say he's stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry.

Tuesday, surveillance video caught the suave burglar along with another man ringing the door bell of a home they later broke into. Police say the homeowner got home while they were filling pillowcases with valuables and scared them off.

They say the men got away in a dark-color Jeep Renegade.

Neighbors tell FOX 13 News, the burglary string has them fearful.

"Anyone that would do that can not really have a conscience. I don't know. They don't even have a second thought about it and that's worrisome," said Nancy Tishler.

Police say they've gotten some tips, but none that have allowed them to make a break in the case.

"We think we have a pretty good picture of who the accomplice is and we're hoping that somebody looks at it and says I know that person. It's my neighbor, whatever. We need to make a break in this case. It's been going on for a while," said Steve Hegarty, TPD spokesman.

They're asking anyone who recognizes either of the men to call police. CrimeStoppers is offering a $3,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.