There have been more than 900 car break-ins in a Northside neighborhood in the last year, and the high number has neighbors on alert.
It’s happening in an area near John William Terrace between Harts Road and Biscaye Boulevard.
“My sunvisors were down, my arm rest was open and my glove department was open as well,” said Zalinka Peoples.
Zalinka Peoples said that was the aftermath and warning signs that let her know someone broke into her car early Monday morning.
Security video shows a thief wearing white shorts walk up to her car. He opened the door and started looking for anything he could steal.
"He only got away with $20 and sunglasses and one of my son’s music devices, but still it’s things that I worked hard for,” said Peoples.
Peoples said although her car was unlocked, the fact that the thief was so bold and invaded her property makes her upset.
“Apparently I had my son go out to my car that Sunday afternoon. I believe he left the door unlocked,” said Peoples.
Police said the suspects are targeting unlocked cars all over Jacksonville.
“They’re searching for guns, anything they can use," said Peoples. "They believe it’s part of a gang initiation. He said within the past month, they hit up a total of 80 cars within the Northside area of Harts road and Biscayne."
Action News Jax did some digging on Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's Crime Tracker Map.
The map showed there were 929 cases within the last year in a mile radius of the Harts Road area.
Peoples said police are patrolling the area but as of now, they don’t know who’s behind the car break-ins.
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