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Elderly woman in ICU after fight with robber who came to her Westside home with package

A GoFundMe was started to help with Karen Brown’s recovery

Karen Brown (L) pictured with her niece Cheryl Preusler (GoFundMe)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An elderly woman is in the ICU after she fought off a robber at her West Jacksonville home.

The incident started when 73-year-old Karen Brown heard scratching noise at the back patio door on Friday afternoon, a redacted arrest report said.

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She went to see what was happening and saw a man holding a package at her door.

Brown told JSO that the man, identified as 20-year-old Jeremiah Thompson, told her the package was addressed to her but wrongfully delivered to him.

The report redacts what happens next, but according to a GoFundMe started by her niece, Brown “fought back HARD.”

There was blood all over the floor, the report also said.

Brown gave JSO a description of the robber and after a chase, Thompson was found near Redstone Drive.

Jeremiah Thompson (WJXT)

Police said he dropped clothing and Brown’s debit card while running away.

Thompson faces several charges including aggravated elderly abuse, attempted murder, and home invasion robbery without a weapon.

Brown is in the ICU with a small brain bleed and a broken hip and arm, according to the online fundraiser.

“Anyone who has ever met Karen will tell you that she is the kindest and most selfless person. She has the biggest heart and would help anyone in need. She has spent a good bit of her retirement years volunteering at her church’s food pantry and to be honest, she will likely be irritated that this fund was started for her but she is always thinking of others and wanting to go without for herself. Now is the time for others to help her,” the GoFundMe said.

Brown’s GoFundMe is looking to raise $2,600 toward her medical expenses. Click here to donate.


About the Authors
Kendra Mazeke headshot

Proud alumnus of Bethune-Cookman University.

Ariel Schiller headshot

Ariel Schiller joined the News4Jax team as an evening reporter in September of 2023. She comes to Jacksonville from Tallahassee where she worked at ABC27 as a Weekend Anchor/Reporter for 10 months.

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