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Atlantic Beach Police see increase in golf cart thefts

DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — As we get into summer one of our local beach police departments has a warning out to the public.

Atlantic Beach Police say to keep an eye out on your golf carts because it’s seeing a spike in thefts.

We found another post in an Atlantic Beach Facebook group showing a man caught on camera.

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We blurred his face because he hasn’t been charged with a crime, but the golf cart owner said her family was almost the victim of theft in one Atlantic Beach neighborhood.

It shocked neighbors like Betsy Guidon who lives nearby.

“That’s pretty bold, pretty brazen to come up to someone’s property, you know, cause a lot of these people have cameras.”

Neighbors in the Facebook group say after trying to take a boot off the cart that man was unsuccessful.

Eric Sherline owns Southern Breeze Cart Rental and he said there are other ways to secure your cart too, especially since these golf carts can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $16,000.

“If you can afford to lose your cart then don’t do anything, fine, but if you don’t want to lose your cart, you definitely need to have full coverage insurance and you should put a GPS on it or some kind of anti-theft device on that cart,” Sherline said.

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He also said to never leave your keys in your golf cart. That’s one of the biggest mistakes and it’s not a bad idea to buy a cable lock for your steering wheel.

“Most people, they’re not walking around with bolt cutters but it does prevent pranks…people moving the carts and such or invest and go on Amazon and get one of those sticks like you would lock your steering wheel,” Sherline said.

In the meantime, it’s got neighbors like Guidon a little more cautious about where they leave their golf carts.

“Lock it up, put it in the garage,” Guidon said.

Atlantic Beach Police say you should always leave your golf cart parked in a well lit area and if you see anyone suspicious, call police immediately.

Action News Jax did reach out to Atlantic Beach PD, Jax Beach PD, and Neptune Beach PD for the number of golf carts stolen this year.

Jax Beach PD said they haven’t had any incidents recently but we’re still waiting to hear back from Neptune and Atlantic Beach police departments.