Manatee deputies looking for 4 men in vehicle theft trend

MANATEE -- Deputies are looking for four men who tried to steal three vehicles early Thursday, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The men, three described as about 5-feet 7-inches tall and one above 6 feet, got into a vehicle in the River Dale Neighborhood in the 300 block of 41st Street Northeast at 3:10 a.m., according to a release.

The men found a key and started the car, backing it out of the driveway when the owner came out and yelled at them, deputies said. The four men ran away and left the vehicle.

While deputies were investigating that incident, a second witness told them she saw the four men get into another car nearby, described as a white crossover-type vehicle. Deputies found that car in the area while searching the neighborhood.

A third victim then called the sheriff's office and reported his vehicle stolen, providing the same description of the suspects.

The men were not found.

This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 6:43 AM with the headline "Manatee deputies looking for 4 men in vehicle theft trend ."