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.
Randall Thompson says burglars are forcing his Northside neighbors out of their homes. He says he’s reached his breaking point. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/HhoFznwrwY
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) February 21, 2018
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.
Thompson says neighbors are fed up and living in fear. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/EJ9l7NUphV
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) February 21, 2018
Thompson says his sense of security was shattered after his home was broken into. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/loZFqA92bd
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) February 21, 2018
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.
Thompson's home was broken into last month. According to the police report, the crooks stole thousands of dollars' worth of electronics, tools, jewelry and his life-saving medications. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/KS8QADAxeA
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) February 21, 2018
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.
According to the Nextdoor app, a home on Thompson's street was just broken into yesterday. I'm working to confirm if a suspect was taken into custody. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/rwcgzNmrcO
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) February 21, 2018
Thompson is calling for more police to patrol his neighborhood. He thinks it will help, but he doesn’t believe it’s going to completely stop criminals. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/UG0BQDiDCm
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) February 22, 2018
I spoke with Thompson’s next-door neighbor. She says the recent break-ins are disheartening and concerning. She says she worries about her elderly and disabled neighbors. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/oskbQISynP
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) February 22, 2018
According to JSO's crime mapping system, in the past 4 weeks there have been 23 home and vehicle break-ins within one mile of Thompson's home. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/dNEskqDGa0
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) February 22, 2018
“I know they wouldn’t think twice about killing me if they had a gun. So, you know, the battles on.” Randall Thompson says he’s fed up over the recent string of burglaries and is ready to take matters into his own hands. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/RuUwzgpVd3
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) February 22, 2018
Cox Media Group