JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Neighbors say nearly three dozen cars were broken into overnight at The Exchange apartment complex in San Marco.
People living at the complex called First Coast News Sunday morning to tell us about the incident.
"We have locked gates and we have locked garage and I felt secure and I don't anymore," Sandra Johnson, a resident, said.
Sandra Johnson has been living at The Exchange apartments for nearly a year. She says Sunday morning, a JSO officer knocked on her door and told her car was one of over 30 broken into overnight.
“31 of us had the back window busted, same window on every car, busted and the cars rummaged through," Johnson said.
She’s missing a folder of personal documents, including her birth certificate.
The break-ins, are a surprise for residents who park here that tell us the garage is suppose to have security.
“We were promised a certain level of security and all the cars were broken into. It's not just two or three," Jason Kumar, a resident, said.
First Coast news stopped in at the leasing office but management was not there Sunday afternoon.
Residents say they’ve filed police reports but many are wondering just how they will fix they’re cars.
“I'm going to try to cover the window with like, a trash bag and duct tape runner but I have to go to work. So I need to make sure that it's somewhat save as much as possible until I can get someone to fix it which probably won't be for another week or two. Just because it's the holiday and they picked a perfect weekend to do this," Temi Omotayo, a resident, said.
First Coast News has also reached out to management, we have not heard back at this time.
An email to residents obtained by First Coast News says the incident is under investigation.
The full email can be read below:
"Dear Exchange Residents,
This letter is to inform you that criminal activity was recently reported within our community. This morning management was informed of multiple car break-ins inside the garage at The Exchange. The incident is currently under investigation by local authorities. Please be assured that both the Jacksonville Police Department, Curtis Patrol Services, and management are fully aware of the activity and are working diligently to rectify it. We encourage you, your family, and any visitors to be as careful as possible with respect to your security and safety. Below are a few reminders to keep in consideration:
- Always lock your car doors
- Do not keep valuables within view in your vehicle.
- Residents do not allow tailgating through the gates.
We do rely on our residents to help report suspicious behavior within the community as this is a team effort. Should you ever notice any suspicious activity, or have information about the recent incident, please take the time to notify the police department at 904-630-0050. Please remember that these unfortunate incidents can happen anywhere and at any time, even when precautionary measures are intact."