JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Residents in the Ortega Farms neighborhood are speaking out about an uptick in reported auto thefts.
The recent holidays have been no excuse for car thefts as thieves are breaking into and stealing cars at The Villas at Ortega on Timuquana Road.
One resident, who did not want to be identified for safety reasons, said she had almost two cars broken into in two months.
“Last night, early morning, my camera went off. I saw this specific car that I see all the time three, four o’clock in the morning rolling by with a flashlight, looking into cars. He specifically slowed down by my car,” the woman told News4JAX.
She said she watched the driver back up their vehicle and flash a light inside.
“At this point, I’m already outside the door because I already know what time it is,” the woman said. “I’m standing outside the door trying to get his license plate to make sure that I’m able to give it to an officer,” she said.
The woman said the man noticed her outside, so she went back inside her house.
Luckily, her car wasn’t broken into, but it was a different story for her neighbor.
In a video, two people were seen walking on a sidewalk. One of them walked off toward the cars. A few moments later, the video shows the same people running as a car alarm goes off.
According to JSO crime mapping, there have been three car thefts and five car burglaries in a 2-mile radius in December.
The woman said it’s frustrating because she feels the complex isn’t doing enough.
“Where’s the security? That’s honestly what it boils down to. Where’s the security? Because at this point, I feel unsafe. I don’t want to be here at all,” the woman said.
News4JAX reached out to the complex for comment. We were told the manager was on vacation but the corporate office is aware of the issue.