JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Mandarin lawn service company has been hit twice since the beginning of June by thieves who took thousands of dollars' worth of equipment.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has yet to make an arrest, but the owner of the landscaping business hopes surveillance video that captured the latest theft Thursday will help.
Barclay Brogden, the owner of the company, had surveillance cameras installed after the business was robbed in early June in hopes it wouldn't happen again.
But early Thursday morning, surveillance captured a man holding bolt cutters before he took three backpack blowers valued at $550 each off of a trailer that they were locked to, Brogden said.
"Unfortunately, when the morning starts at 6:30 and the equipment's not there, we have to wait until 7 for the place to open that we purchase our equipment. It's kind of funny. When they see us coming in, and buying that equipment again, they are just as upset as we are," Brogden said.
According to a JSO incident report, a hedge trimmer, a chainsaw, a backpack blower and a weed eater were some of the equipment taken in June.
"It does affect our bottom line. But it also disrupts our day. Everything is based on being proficient in managing our time. This definitely cuts down on that," Brogden said.
The new cameras were put up just days after the first theft. But Brogden said he hopes that someone who sees the surveillance video from Thursday will help police make an arrest.
"I'd hate for this to happen to someone else. Who wants to start their day off coming out in the morning and finding out that a lot of their stuff has been stolen?" Brogden said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.