JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A business in the Biltmore neighborhood was burglarized Tuesday night. Now, the owner is out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Omid, the owner of VIP Motors Jax, a business that deals with selling vehicles and metals sheets for roofs, shared video of the suspect entering his building. The man is seen with a reflective jacket and a flashlight.
After illegally entering into VIP Motors Jax, on Edgewood Avenue, the man is seen in one video rummaging through the shop, with the assistance of that flashlight.
In a second video, it starts with the man in dim light. Then the lights cut on and he pulls his jacket up.
Omid said he was shocked that didn’t deter him from leaving.
Omid said the incident happened Tuesday, but he didn’t find out about this until Thursday, because he was away.
When he initially saw the video, he said “I went numb for a second.” He also said the man in the video accessed the property through a fence in the back of the business.
Omid said tools, multiple car keys, scanners for cars and cash were taken from the property.
He believes between what was stolen and damages done to the building, he’s out of at least $70,000.
News4Jax obtained the incident report for this case, and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office had the total value of property stolen on the report listed as $23,500.
Omid is already feeling the impact of the burglary.
He said he had to call a customer who was expecting to pick up their vehicle and cancel the appointment because the keys were a part of the keys that were stolen.
It’s not the first time the dealership had been hit, but Omid said this burglary is the most expensive.
“I’m down for a few days,” Omid said.
Omid said this loss affects him in helping his family and customers. He doesn’t know who the man on camera was but shared this message to the alleged burglar:
“I don’t know what type of person you are, but it’s not right. Get a job,” Omid said.
He also plans to add more security to the property to prevent this from happening for a third time.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office crime mapping tool, from July 30, 2023, to Jan. 26, there are 20 reports of burglary, motor vehicle theft and vehicle break-ins. Twelve of those incidents were burglaries.