JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A home and a shed on Jacksonville’s Eastside were targeted by arsonists over the last several days in “Molotov cocktail” attacks that Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigators believe are connected.
JSO is working with the state Bureau of Fire, Arson & Explosives Investigations to identify the people involved, who were caught on camera. Investigators are releasing the video to see if the community can help ID the two suspects.
The attacks were reported along Jacksonville’s North Shore and Brentwood neighborhoods.
The first happened in the early morning hours of Saturday, Nov. 23, at North Main Street and 43rd Street East.
The person who called police said he found a broken bottle on his front porch near an area that was scorched, and investigators found a second bottle, which was identified as a Molotov cocktail -- commonly known as a homemade bomb.
Nearby surveillance video captured someone lighting something and then throwing it in the direction of the home.
Two days later, on Monday, Nov. 25, security footage captured two people walking up to a small structure that appears to be a shed and throwing multiple Molotov cocktails to ignite an explosion and fire.
Once the structure caught fire, the two ran from the scene.
JSO believes the two incidents are connected and that at least one of those captured on video was involved in both crimes.
Anyone with information about either crime is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.
To remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $3,000 call First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS or text **8477.