JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Austin Kelley, a Navy veteran, tells Action News Jax that a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office police officer broke into his home while his mother, Lynn Kelley, was inside on Sunday morning.
“Never in a million years did I think an officer would enter my home, or anybody else’s home for that matter, without legal authority,” Lynn Kelley said.
Austin Kelley took us inside the home. He showed us strange markings left behind on his back door, and damage on the lock and door jam on the garage door.
He tells us it was caused by the officer trying to work the locks open.
The Kelleys say the officer was there because he had been called out by a former tenant who wanted to retrieve his personal belongings from inside the house.
Austin Kelley says the tenant had not paid his rent since moving in about two months ago.
He tells us he told the tenant he could have his things back after paying his rent.
He says he also told the tenant he no longer felt comfortable with him in the house.
Lynn Kelley says the tenant showed up Sunday with an officer to collect his stuff.
She says the officer and tenant walked around the property as the officer tried to unlock doors around the house.
TRENDING STORIES:
Amber Alert issued for 5- and 6-year-olds missing since Sunday morning
Suspect killed in officer-involved shooting, 2 policemen out of the hospital
Customs & Border Protection trainee shot & killed outside St. Simons Island bar
City Councilman wants a grand jury investigation of JEA sale
Finally, she says the officer managed the get the garage door open. She tells us they walked right into the kitchen.
“Even when he got into my kitchen door, he didn’t say, ‘JSO,'” Lynn Kelley said. “He said, ‘Oh, there she is!’ What kind of crap is that from a police officer?”
Lynn Kelley tells us the officer and tenant admitted to her it was the officer who had gotten them into the home.
She says she yelled at the officer, telling him he did not have their permission to be in the home.
She says other officers showed up afterward and the tenant left. Lynn Kelley tells us she informed the supervisor she wished to file a report.
She says she was given a case number and told how she could file a report with internal affairs.
After the investigation, Austin Kelley tells Action News Jax the JSO supervisor on scene called and left him a voice mail. In the message, he tells us the supervisor said they would be filing a damage report and investigating the allegations.
Action News Jax contacted to JSO for comment on the family’s claims.
“I have been advised that Internal is aware of the given incident and it is being administratively reviewed,” said JSO Spokesperson Christian Hancock. “As such, we are not at liberty to discuss details related to the complaint or confirm officers involved.”
As soon as we learn more about the incident and administrative review, we’ll be sure to update the story.
