Conde	Perea

Kissimmee police detectives are searching for two suspects linked to a rash of drop box thefts at area apartment complexes.

Maidalys Casas Conde and Obette Perea’s names appear on the multiple money orders that were cashed after being stolen from the drop boxes.

The pair, from Hialeah in Miami-Dade County, might  be victims of identity theft and police want to question them about their connection to the case.

“We haven’t been able to contact these people,” Kissimmee Police Department spokeswoman Stacie Miller said.

Since early February, the Kissimmee Police Department has received six reports regarding burglaries to apartment complexes’ drop boxes.

The residents of the communities use the drop boxes to deposit their monthly rent check or money order when the office is closed.

The burglaries occurred at night and none of the drop boxes were monitored by security cameras, Miller said.

At least five apartment complexes – Regatta Bay, Gables at Lakeside, Arbors of Sendera, Polo Run and Reef Club – were targeted between Feb. 1 and March 6.

“It’s starting to spread,” Miller said.

Several of the complexes were burglarized more than once, Miller said.

Similar thefts have been reported by Orange County apartment complexes.

Some Kissimmee thefts were discovered quickly when a drop box was checked the morning after the burglaries. Others were not discovered until the community management began sending out late notices to residents.

Management learned that the residents used the drop box and the money was stolen from the box.

A sticky substance was found in the drop boxes, which was somehow utilized to pull the checks and money orders out of the boxes, Miller said.

So far, only money orders from two of the five complexes have been cashed. Police think the suspects are waiting a few weeks after the burglaries before cashing them, Miller said.

Of the money orders that have been cashed, it is clear that the money orders have been washed and a different name appears in the “Pay to the Order” line.

“Whoever is cashing them should be diligent to see if they’re washed out and call to check if they’re valid,” Miller said. “It’s obviously washed out. These people are not very sophisticated.”

Conde’s name was on at least three of the stolen money orders and Perea’s name was on another stolen money order.

Polo Run leasing agent Akira Gutierrez said the complex has removed its drop box and requested that tenants personally give their rent checks or money orders to office personnel.

Polo Run’s managers are working with their 11 victims and not charging them additional fees as the investigation continues, Gutierrez said.

“None of the tenants are being evicted at this moment. Right now, everything is at a standstill,” she said.

The Kissimmee Police Department’s Community Relations Squad has passed out warning flyers to the apartment communities within the city urging them to discontinue using drop boxes.

Police recommend tenants get a receipt for proof of payment when they pay their rent as an extra precaution.

They also are encouraging apartment managers to increase security in their offices and around the drop boxes.

Anyone with information about the persons of interest or this case is urged to contact the Kissimmee Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit at 407-846-3333, by e-mail at seeitsayit@kissimmee.org or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).