Front porches in Murray Hill have started to feel a lot less friendly lately, as neighbors say a man has been walking onto screened porches for more than a month and quietly making off with bikes, lawn lights and other items caught on doorbell cameras. The string of thefts, along with what residents describe as increasingly bold behavior, has pushed families to install extra cameras and lean on police for answers. Several neighbors say they suspect the same person is behind the incidents and worry the trespassing could turn into a violent encounter if someone happens to confront him. The unease in the neighborhood has many residents urging each other to hang on to any footage they capture and press for follow-up from law enforcement.
Doorbell Video, Attempted Break-In Reported
Neighbors told News4JAX they have traded doorbell-camera clips that appear to show the same man stepping into screened porches and taking property, sometimes yanking a shirt over his face as a quick disguise. One College Street resident reported seeing the person peering over a fence toward windows shortly before a bicycle disappeared from the yard. A Collier Avenue resident told the station the suspect tried to force his way through the glass on a front door on New Year's Eve. With no arrest reported, the station has not identified a suspect, and several neighbors say they believe the man is still roaming the area.
JSO Urges Victims To File Reports
Max Morel, a strategic communications representative for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, told News4JAX that two incidents had been officially reported so far and encouraged anyone affected to speak up and submit tips. "Let us try to identify that individual and bring them to justice," Morel said. JSO is asking residents who have footage or information to use its online portal or call the nonemergency line at (904) 630-0500.
How To Help Investigations & Protect Your Porch
Registering security cameras with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office program can speed up investigations because it gives deputies a map of nearby cameras without granting them routine access to private video streams. As outlined on ConnectDuval, residents can quickly register doorbell and security cameras and choose whether to integrate feeds for emergency response. Homeowners are also urged to back up clips off the doorbell or camera device and keep timestamps intact so any video remains usable as evidence.
Anyone in Murray Hill who believes they were targeted is asked to file a report and upload video evidence through the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Unsolved Crimes page. JSO's Unsolved Crimes portal includes a form for tips and instructions on submitting evidence. Neighbors say they plan to keep funneling footage to investigators until an arrest is made and the strange porch activity on their blocks finally stops.
