JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville police are asking for the public's help identifying two men accused of taking advantage of a disabled man's trust and kindness by stealing medication, money and jewelry from the 69-year-old's Arlington home.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said the two burglars were captured on home surveillance video, which was released Thursday.
The victim, who News4Jax has chosen to identify, believes he was targeted because it was obvious he had prescription medications.
UNCUT: Police release surveillance video of Arlington home burglary
On March 27, police said, the victim was in a motorized wheelchair on his front porch when a silver Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck pulled into his driveway, and a man got out and asked the victim if he needed his trees trimmed.
A second man then got out of the truck and they asked the homeowner if they could go to the backyard to look at the condition of a neighboring home, saying one of them was interested in buying it, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The duo then went into the backyard, but one of the men came back and asked the victim for a glass of water, police said.
"I said, 'Go ahead in the kitchen. There's some cups right there, which if you take a look, you'll see. And go ahead and get a glass of water,'" the victim recounted to News4Jax on Thursday.
Once inside the home, investigators said, surveillance video captured the man going through the homeowner's belongings.
Police said the two men were at the home for about 45 minutes. But it wasn't until the next day when the homeowner noticed a door that was left open.
"That's why I said I had to go into that room and take a look," he said.
When he went into the room, the victim said that he discovered his medication and a small safe, containing money and sentimental jewelry, were missing.
"I actually think they were looking for medication. I'm in a chair and they probably thought I got medication," the victim said.
Because the homeowner was in a wheelchair, he did not follow the men around while they were at his house. The homeowner also explained how the safe was able to be removed without him noticing.
"He grabbed a blanket off the chair and wrapped it in the blanket. Then he came around the backside of the house this way, through the gate," the victim said.
Anyone who recognizes the two men seen in the surveillance footage, or anyone who has any information about the case, 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.