Jacksonville Beach police report spike in car thefts, burglaries

Jacksonville Beach man says wife's SUV was stolen despite being locked

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – There has seen a spike in car burglaries, as well as car thefts, in the last 90 days, the Jacksonville Beach Police Department reported Monday. 

One of the stolen vehicles includes a locked Honda Pilot, which was stolen from a Jacksonville Beach home and then used in a series of car break-ins in Jacksonville's East Arlington neighborhood earlier this month, according to police.

Tanner DeLoach told News4Jax that the Honda Pilot, which was stolen in the early morning hours of Sept. 11, belonged to his wife, and the SUV had been locked. 

"We're heading out, taking our boys to the beach and walked out and noticed my wife's car wasn't there," DeLoach said. 

He said they also discovered that his car, which had been locked, was broken into and his gun, watch, wallet and other items were stolen out of it.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, three teenagers were arrested early Sept. 13 on the city's Southside after officers received reports of several people in an SUV who were going through the neighborhood and checking door handles.

When officers arrived to Windy Hill Drive, the Honda Pilot sped off before crashing into a light pole. 

Police said they learned that the Pilot had been reported stolen in Jacksonville Beach the Sunday before, police said.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the three teens are also suspected in a series of car break-ins in the East Arlington area in which the Pilot was used. The Sheriff's Office continues to search for a fourth person believed to be involved. 

"We actually got a call around 2:30 in the morning that the found a vehicle wrapped around a light pole," DeLoach said.

While the DeLoach's SUV had been locked, police said that's not the the case with many of the other car burglaries reported. 

In the last 90 days, there have been 133 car burglaries, and 113 of them were unlocked cars, according to Jacksonville Beach police.

That means only 20 of those car burglaries were forced entry break-ins. 

Not only should drivers lock their car, but police also suggested that people avoid hiding their keys. It may seem more convenient, police said, but drivers should never put their key under a tire or in a gas tank. 

"Please take the time each night before you go to bed -- make sure you're locking your keyless entry as often as possible," said JBPD Sgt. Tommy Crumley. 

It's the same advice DeLoach has for car owners.

"Just double check everything. Make sure you're putting valuables out of your car. I used to leave everything in the center console just because coming in and out, it was easier that way. Just make sure you're pulling everything out, everything is locked, be more cognizant and be aware of your surroundings so no one else becomes victimized," DeLoach said. 

DeLoach said that luckily, insurance is going to cover the items stolen out of his vehicle, as well as the damage to his wife's SUV. 

Jacksonville Beach police continue to pass out fliers, reminding people to "lock it or lose it."