Search for Dunedin Swimmer Leads to Car Burglary Investigation

A search and rescue operation for a swimmer off of Dunedin Causeway early Friday is now leading authorities into an investigation involving a string of car burglaries in the same area she went missing.

A female swimmer reported missing was located "unharmed and alert" within 90 minutes of a 6 a.m. news release that announced the start of  search and rescue mission was underway, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office reports. 

As deputies continued their investigation into the missing swimmer, they discovered reports of several vehicle burglaries in the same area on Paula Drive. A Pinellas County Sheriff's spokesman says all parties involved are being interviewed to determine their involvement, if any, into the burglaries.

The female swimming near 444 North Paula Dr. was reported as not returning from the water early Friday morning, prompting rescuers to launch a search and rescue operation.

The name of the swimmer has not been released.

The investigation is ongoing.

Patch will report more information as it becomes available.