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Smash-and-grab burglaries target women at St. Johns County parks, deputies say

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a string of smash-and-grab vehicle burglaries at parks.

On Feb. 9, a woman’s purse and makeup bag were stolen out of a vehicle in the parking lot at Treaty Park in St. Augustine.

Madison Boyd said she was visiting from Georgia to play in a softball tournament. She said she put a blanket over her belongings, but it didn’t stop the suspect from breaking in.

“I just don’t understand why somebody would do that,” Boyd said.

She said the suspect stole at least $1,300 worth of items.

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Deputies said on Feb. 10, at least two vehicles were burglarized at Davis Park in Nocatee.

Two women said they were walking their dogs around lunchtime and came back to their vehicles to find the windows busted out.

One victim reported a monetary loss of $400. The other woman said the suspect took $1,000 worth of items from her vehicle.

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Jean Bell brings her dog “Shorty” to the park every week and said she hopes deputies find the thieves.

“I think it’s messed up that you can’t come out and enjoy the park without your car getting violated and broken into,” Bell said.

The Sheriff’s Office said it’s possible the cases are connected, but they can’t say definitively until a suspect is caught.

The report doesn’t offer a suspect description.

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