Stolen car found in water near Mayport Jetties points to larger problem

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A stolen car found in the water near the Mayport Jetties points to a larger problem for one neighborhood.

"I opened it up, and it was gone. The car was gone," said Carmen Ragonese.

Four days later, Ragonese's SUV was found floating in the St. Johns River less than 10 miles away from his home in the gated Queens Harbor neighborhood.

"It was just a mess. It was not only stolen, but it was vandalized. They just destroyed it. And the writing inside is what really hit home," said Ragonese.

The writing was foul language. Ragonese said there were also a lot of items inside that didn't belong to him.

"There was a lot of loose coins, purses, baby pictures of someone I never knew," he said.

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​​​​​There was also a piece of concrete on his gas pedal.

"That was jammed on the gas pedal, so apparently it was designated to be ditched at some point," said Ragonese.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's crime map, another car was stolen the same week just down the road and two other cars were stolen within 1-mile radius four weeks ago.

"The writing on the car indicates there's a lot more going on, and they're here in this community, and they are getting in," said Ragonese.

Ragonese said neighbors need to stick together to stop these crooks.

"We should be securing our borders here in the home and making sure our families are safe," he said.

Action News Jax contacted to JSO to see if there are any leads, and we are waiting to hear back.

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