Homes targeted by thieves in Arlington

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — New video shows a brazen thief running up and snatching stuff right off of a local woman's front porch. She said it's not the first time and other neighbors have been victims as well.

After several police reports were filed when a bike was stolen from their carport and medical supplies stolen from her car, that woman, who doesn't want to be identified, said she broke down and got surveillance cameras.

“It just makes your skin crawl to think I’m in my home and I should be safe, I should be protected,” she said.

Even with the cameras, it didn’t prevent someone from running into the carport and hopping back into an SUV with two full gas cans.

Action News Jax got the surveillance video from Monday night showing the man clearly pointing at the cameras and pretending to knock before taking off.

“What surprised me the most is just how bold he was and it made me very uncomfortable knowing my family was just inside,” said the homeowner.

Earlier in the day, the man was seen walking around the neighborhood.

“We feel like he was canvassing the neighborhood and looking to see what he could pick off of people,” said the homeowner.

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Action News Jax Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson said no matter where your things are, everything should be locked up.

“You can’t leave your things laying outside in the open because it gives a thief temptation, it’s a crime of opportunity,” said Jefferson.

And even though police are using the surveillance video to catch the suspect, Jefferson said it’s no substitute for locking up your property.

“Even if you have surveillance cameras it doesn’t prevent these things from happening,” said Jefferson.

Jefferson also said the worst time of the year for theft is the summer because kids are out of school.

Cox Media Group