MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — The Martin County Sheriff’s Office says there have been more than 20 vehicle burglaries in the last week. Some receiving national attention tied to a much larger issue -- criminals making their way north in search of quick cash.
”It’s mind-boggling,” said Jeff Metz, a Martin County resident.
Approximately 18 years ago Metz traded the hustle of New Jersey for a place to raise a family. He says as of late a lot has changed.
”Crime wise there’s a lot of car break-ins,” he said.
In March some of his neighbors woke up to rims and tires ripped straight from their vehicles. Within the past week, the county saw auto thefts involving six Broward County teens and the high-profile arrest of a carjacking suspect near Miami.
”There’s a lack of fear of incarceration,” said Sheriff William J. Snyder.
He also says burglaries and auto thefts committed by criminals from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties have increased in recent years. He says it's often “career criminals” using Intestate 95.
”They’re leaving here with a stolen car which they will sell and then that car will invariably be sold overseas,” Snyder said.
The issue has not only triggered a stronger law enforcement presence on the highway but also an increase in undercover patrols and intel meetings with the South Florida Burglary Task Force. Law enforcement is also pushing for harsher punishments.
“We live on I-95,” said Snyder said. “We need the Florida Legislature to start making meaningful sentence reform where sentences are not reduced but increased. And we need facilities to put these young people who are pathological in their outlaw behavior. That’s what we need.”