Rash of Thefts at Docks Along the River

By Jessica Clark First Coast News

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FL -- The St. Johns River in southern St. Johns County is peaceful, but that peace has been tampered with.

A string of about a dozen burglaries and thefts have taken place at docks along County Road 13 and around Collee Cove.

"I've been here since 1988," Victor Jackson said. "Never ever lost anything from my house or the dock. Never. And it's just a rash of thieves down here now."

Jackson is the latest theft victim around the Collee Cove and Riverdale area.

Over the weekend, someone ripped a GPS and fish finder off of his boat, parked at his dock.

Propellers, fishing gear, trolling motors and other items have been stolen from docks and boats in the past two and a half months.

Certainly this is a new trend along our river way," Sgt. Chuck Mulligan of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office said.

However, the thefts come at a challenging time for the Sheriff's Office.

It no longer has a full time deputy patrolling waterways via boat.

"With our current workforce," Mulligan said, "we are in a hiring freeze. We had a retirement from our road patrol sector and our marine unit person was then re-assigned to to road patrol to backfill that position."

Mulligan said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservaton Commission is patrolling the river more, assisting the Sheriff's Office.

As for Jackson, this crime spree has shaken the quiet along the river he calls home.

"Docks are always easy targets," Jackson said. "But people usually respect your dock or respect your boats, and don't do this."

If you have any information call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS.

You'll remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

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