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Disabled man's Northside Jacksonville home ransacked in string of burglaries

A Northside Jacksonville man said burglars are forcing his neighbors out of their homes.

“It's getting to a point to where neighbors are talking, neighbors are scared and neighbors are looking to move,” Randall Thompson said.

Thompson, who lives alone and is disabled, said his home on De Paul Drive was ransacked in January.

The police report said crooks made off with thousands of dollars’ worth of electronics, jewelry and Thompson’s lifesaving medications.

“They wiped it out and took it quick,” Thompson said.

The report offered no suspect description.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office crime map, in the past four weeks there have been 23 home and vehicle break-ins within 1 mile of Thompson’s home.

He said the numbers are alarming, but not surprising.

“I don't see it getting any better,” Thompson said.

Thompson said he doesn’t feel comfortable and is sleeping with one eye open.

“You don't rest good anymore. You just keep waiting for them to come through your window or kick your doors in,” Thompson said.

He believes having a larger police presence in the neighborhood would help deter the criminals. If not, Thompson said, he’s ready to take matters into his own hands.

“I know they wouldn't think twice about killing me. So, you know, the battle is on,” Thompson said.

He said he will protect his neighbors at all cost.

“I'm done with it. I will protect, from this point on,” Thompson said.