MULBERRY, Fla. — Polk investigators are searching for a daytime burglar who was seen on camera stealing thousands of dollars worth of electronics from a Mulberry home.
Video shows the unknown suspect storming into the family's master bedroom around 3:30 p.m. on February 14.
"Scary to us, that we were violated like that," said Marc Palermo.
When Palermo came home to find his daughter's room ransacked, he knew something wasn't right.
"They flipped the bed over, they knocked all of her stuff out, pulled the curtains off the window, and took her hover-board, her laptop, one of her cell phones, and one of her tablets," said Palermo.
Polk detectives credit a free app for providing a critical clue they believe may solve the case.
AtHome Video Streamer transforms your cell phone, laptop, or tablet into a security camera. Users can watch remotely in real-time and playback video.
"It showed everything that he did," said Palermo. "It recorded the voice of who he was talking to in the other room."
AtHome says parents and pet owners may also use the app as a "nanny cam."
But in this case, Palermo says it's a budget-friendly tool that provides peace of mind.
"It's a life-saver for sure," said Palermo. "I hope they catch them and we get some of our stuff back."
The app is free to download but does require a monthly fee of a few bucks to download and save recorded surveillance video.
Click here for IOS download. Click here for Android download.
Polk investigators ask anyone who may recognize the unknown suspect to call Det. Holley at (863) 499-2400.
