Southside plagued by car break-ins

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Home surveillance caught two people going inside Jim Sanchez’s car, rummaging through it and then stealing the car from his driveway.

It happened around 3:30 a.m. last Saturday. Sanchez is speaking out now, after more people have been impacted.

“We are concerned, fearful for the safety of our children, for the protection of our valuables,” Sanchez said. The father usually does not leave his car unlocked, but last Saturday, he forgot to lock it.

He isn’t the only person to fall victim in the Windy Hills neighborhood on the Southside. While some owners did not lock their cars, others who did said their windows were smashed.

According to the JSO crime map, there have been nine vehicle thefts or break-ins in the last week, all within a 2-mile radius of the Sanchez home on Forrest Blvd.

“The entire neighborhood basically is feeling like they’re under attack,“ Sanchez said.

Other neighbors shared their surveillance video with Action News Jax, as well. In one shot, you see a person wearing a Marilyn Monroe sweatshirt with the hood up.

Sanchez said it is daunting to know thieves were right next to his bedroom window, in the middle of the night, stealing his car. He said there was not anything of value to take, and he feels fortunate that he got his car back. Sanchez hopes police can find out who is responsible and ease the families in distress.

“If this doesn’t get handled in one way shape or form, we could wind up with more long-term and even worse types of crime,” Sanchez said.

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