Burglary thwarted; teen siblings charged

TAMPA -- Teen siblings were arrested in connection with residential burglaries in an apartment complex Wednesday.

Police said a burglary attempt was thwarted when the victim, a 24-year-old woman, heard knocking on her door at the Meridian Pointe Apartments at 2450 E Hillsborough Ave. about 10:15 a.m. Wednesday.

When she glanced through a small peephole in the door, police said she saw the two suspects, a brother and sister, ages 17 and 15. She didn't answer.

Moments later, police said, the woman heard "clicking noises" at the door then yelled out, scaring away the potential burglars. They were later caught. The two, who are not being named because of their ages, were charged with multiple felony counts of burglary and were taken to the Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center.

- Casey Cora, Times staff writer