Neighbors Fed Up With Bonita Grand Burglaries

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Residents of a new development in southwest Miami-Dade are fed up after eight of their homes have been burglarized in the last few moths.

Homeowners in the Bonita Grand development have installed security systems, bought guard dogs and even weapons - but the burglaries continue.

Joycie Lindsey said 'being fed up' is an understatement. She's flat out furious and now she's armed.

"I've got a gun and I will use it. I have had lessons, I have gone to the shooting range and I will shoot them if they come back," said Lindsey.

Burglars have broken into her new home twice and she's lived there for less than two weeks.

"I lost all my jewelry except what I have on. I feel violated, I mean this is just terrible," said Lindsey.

Bonita Grand is still under construction and sits half empty. The residents say the developer DR Horton has a security guard who patrols the area where homes are under construction but not the area where residents are living.

"Everyone who moves in here, right after that in two or three weeks they get hit. That's outrageous," said Abdul Siddiqkara.

Burglars snatched his suits, cash, his wife's jewelry and even their pillowcases. He said he has asked for help from police and he's asked the developer to pay for security in the area until the community is finished. He said he's gotten nowhere on either front.

"So where do I turn? I went to the police. The police say we can't come down here every time, we cannot just patrol here. I have no other choice than to go to Channel 4," Siddiqkara told CBS4's Natalia Zea.

Lindsey is also ready for resolution because she has more to worry about than target practice. She is battling cancer.

"I'd really like to get my hands on the person who did this to me. I'm 76 years old but I believe I could just beat the living you know what out of them," said Lindsey.

CBS4 contacted DR Horton's corporate office in Texas.

"D.R. Horton is aware of the recent issues some of our homeowners have experienced in the Bonita
Grand neighborhood," according to a statement. "We are cooperating with police efforts to address the situation and have asked our security company to report suspicious activity to the police. We have contacted our security
subcontractor to learn about options available to current homeowners interested in adding security
such as wireless alarm systems."

The company said homeowners could install alarms and cameras to make their homes safer, but they would have to pay for it themselves.