Baymeadows man concerned about crime after motorcycle, car stolen

Surveillance captures car theft, hit-and-run of replacement motorcycle

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There's a neighborhood crime alert in Jacksonville's Baymeadows area, where a man said his motorcycle and car were both stolen out of his apartment's parking lot. 

Before recently moving to Baymeadows with his wife, the man, who only wants to be called Josh, told News4Jax that he looked up the crime in the neighborhood to find out if it was safe.

Josh said it seemed like a good area, with nice apartments, stores and restaurants.

But after his car and motorcycle were stolen, he's said he's unsure about that.

Security videos capturing his car being stolen, and then his replacement motorcycle being hit by a vehicle, in the same apartment complex parking lot are just two of the crimes that Josh said he's been a victim of since moving to Baymeadows with his wife this spring. 

"It's like they just know they can get away with it or something," Josh said.

Josh said his motorcycle was stolen two months ago. Then, about a week ago, Josh said, his car was stolen and, the next day, someone hit his replacement motorcycle in the same parking lot next to his apartment. 

Josh said his car was locked. In a security video, the car's lights blink after someone somehow electronically unlocks it before a man wearing a T-shirt and shorts gets in the car and then drives away.

The following day, security video also captured someone in a car ram into Josh's replacement motorcycle and then driving away. 

Josh said he's worried the crime in his neighborhood is getting out of hand. 

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's crime map, 35 crimes -- including nine car break-ins, eight burglaries and nine assaults -- have been reported in the last six weeks within a mile of Josh's apartment complex off of Southbrook Drive and Southside Boulevard. 

“Almost like it was the same people and, like, I’m being targeted or something," Josh said. "It kind of freaked us out.”

Josh said he’s been in touch with police, but no arrests have been made.

“It’s getting to be, like, it’s too much of a hassle if I have to worry about it being stolen all of the time," he said.

Until someone is in jail, Josh said, he’s constantly worried whether he and his belongings are safe. 

He hopes someone will recognize the man or the vehicle in the security footage and call police. 


About the Author:

Corley Peel is a Texas native and Texas Tech graduate who covered big stories in Joplin, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Jacksonville, Florida before returning to the Lone Star State. When not reporting, Corley enjoys hot yoga, Tech Football, and finding the best tacos in town.