Multiple businesses burglarized in Murray Hills, owner feels targeted

A laptop, cash register and money were some of the things stolen after two businesses were targeted in Murray Hill.

Glass covered the floor when Melissa Barton came into Pinky Toe’s Day Spa on Wednesday morning and found that he furniture had been moved.

“Whoever it was tried breaking in through the front door. When he was unsuccessful, he went to the side window and was coming in through there,” Barton said.

Because of the spa’s hours, she said she thinks she was an easy target.

“I think it’s because it’s an appointment-only shop and I’m not here all the time,” Barton said.

She said the thief got away with her cash register.

It was later found, empty, in a dumpster down the road.

“It seems like nothing was touched but the money,” Barton said.

A nearby business owner gave Action News Jax surveillance video that shows someone in a dark-colored hoodie riding their bike away from Barton’s salon, on the morning of the break-in.

“And then that other business was broken into so it makes sense that it was who did the damage,” restaurant owner Jerry Moran said.

The other business was a tax service, and the owner said a laptop and some money was taken.

“I was panicked. I was worried about my clients’ files,” owner Jean Fineis said.

The suspects got in through the back door and pieces of the door are still scattered across the floor.

“I don’t know what’s going on, to be honest with you,” Fineis said.

Business owners said they would like to see more police patrolling the area.

Action News Jax spoke with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was told that crime has actually decreased in this area since last year.

Cox Media Group