Thieves roaming Powers Avenue and area between I-95 and St. John’s River

Rumors are circulating in Jacksonville about a band of robbers holding people up along San Jose Blvd., between Sunbeam Rd. and Emerson Ave. But there isn’t one group of robbers, there are several. And the hot spots aren’t really in the area we traditionally call Mandarin—they’re closer to downtown.

“There's not just one group--different groups of kids keep doing it,” said a source with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Dept. There are several different suspect situations, and the holdups are occurring when people are distracted, especially when they’re getting out of their car. The hot spots are near Powers Avenue and in the area between I-95 and the St. John’s River. Things to bear in mind:

*Don’t chat on a cell phone when you’re walking to your car. Pay attention to your surroundings.

*If a car with 3 or 4 young male passengers is near your car as you approach, exercise caution. If they're also wearing hoodies, be doubly cautious. This is the scenario for recent robberies. Either return to the building or your home and/or call the police. Better to feel silly if all’s well than to end up in the hospital with injuries.

*Pay attention when leaving your car. If someone's presence makes you uncomfortable, either move to a different area of the lot or, if there's good enough reason, call police.

*Be aware of whoever is in your immediate area. Never stand at your trunk and gab on your cell phone. That's like saying, "Please toss me in and take the car."

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