Masked teen caught on camera in Deep Creek prompts search by deputies

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —

A masked teen was caught on camera in Deep Creek attempting to open a door and leaving a threatening message on a Ring camera, prompting a search by Charlotte County deputies along Nuremberg Boulevard.

Jerome Pittman's Ring camera caught him on his doorstep.

"My wife checked the ring camera, and she said it was a guy with a mask. So, I ran to grab protection, and as I went outside, he was gone," Jerome Pittman said. "She checked the Ring camera because it records videos, and he said some really weird things."

Another neighbor shared video footage of the same individual trying to open their door. The sightings led to a search by deputies, who used a canine unit to track the scent around the neighborhood.

Two neighbors reported encountering the teen and two others, who claimed they were playing hide and seek and were headed to their grandmother's house.

Neighbors like Pittman had a message for their parents.

"Just keep your kids safe, man. Find them something fun to do. Find them something safe to do because knocking on people's doors is not the safest thing," Pittman said. "I know like there's a TikTok trend going around or whatever the case may be, but this ain't the trend you want to do, buddy, I promise."

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office is actively searching for the masked teen seen in the videos and urges anyone with information to contact deputies.

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