Car burglaries reported in St. Johns County

Sheriff's office warning residents to lock doors

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A crime alert in St. Johns County has residents on edge in the Nocatee area. Police told Channel 4 that Wednesday night and early Thursday morning they received reports of eight different car burglaries.

The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office said the crimes were focused in the Nocatee area and that the burglars mostly struck unlocked cars, but broke into some locked cars in the area, too.

"Our neighbors called us this morning, we were all waking up and they told us his car had been broken into, come look at mine. Came out and looked and sure enough they got in my trunk and stole something out of there," said Doug Brady.

Some residents said that almost every car on their road was hit.

"I've got video camera on the front of my car, looked at it this morning, didn't see anything," said Chris Graham.

Investigators said they have at least one surveillance image from the neighborhood that shows a suspect.

"We have some surveillance footage. Right now we're working with detectives to get that out. In next 24 to 48 hours, you'll see that information coming out," said St. Johns County Sgt. Catherine Payne.

As Channel 4 looked into reports of car break-ins from the Nocatee area, we found other reports of break-ins in Ponte Vedra that occurred Tuesday night into Wednesday morning in St. Johns County. The Sheriff's Office said they are asking all residents in St. Johns County to be alert.

"What we ask crime prevention-wise is be vigilant, lock your house, lock your vehicles. Set your alarms, if you have a garage secure, if you don't have garage or can't put vehicle in and have door opener. Don't keep in vehicle and being inside so criminals don't have access to the residence as well," said Payne.


About the Authors:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.