St. Johns deputies: Thieves targeting women in smash-and-grab car burglaries at local gyms

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Local women are being watched and targeted.

St. Johns County Sheriff's Office deputies said thieves are taking advantage of women, preying on them at places they visit every day, such as local gyms.

In less than an hour, four car windows were smashed and purses stolen in a plaza that houses two gyms in St. Johns County.

Shards of glass are sprinkled throughout the passenger's side of Gloria McCarthy’s van.

"I came out at 8 o’clock and there were cops by my car," McCarthy said.

She said she took her daughter to WGV Gymnastics and while she was inside, her window was smashed.

"I was just like, 'Oh my gosh, this can't be happening,' you know? Christmas is right around the corner I have three kids and all my stuff is gone," McCarthy said.

Her purse, wallet with IDs and her kids’ Social Security cards were stolen.

"It literally happened within an hour, hour and a half and it was gone," McCarthy said.

Action News Jax obtained several police reports and learned that three other cars in the same parking lot were broken into and two other purses were stolen.

"I didn't even notice right away that my purse was gone because it wasn't right out in plain sight," victim Teresa Slattery said.

Slattery said she was working out at the gym and came out to a shattered window. Her purse, which was under the seat, was gone.

The Sheriff’s Office said women are being targeted as they go into gyms because purses and wallets are sometimes left behind in vehicles.

"That's really scary especially because I have my 5-year-old daughter with me. You don't know how long they could be watching you for," McCarthy said.

The Sheriff’s Office warns that this type of crime will only increase during the holidays.

"Lock your cars and take all your stuff out of there, don't leave your phone, nothing," McCarthy said.

Cox Media Group