The school lost its replacement golf cart to thieves caught on camera, echoing last year’s theft of similar equipment.
DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — Andrew Jackson High School is once again dealing with theft issues, as two of its sports equipment carts have been stolen nearly a year apart.
The golf cart used by coaches and staff was stolen early Thursday morning, and the thieves who took it were caught on camera.
A year ago, the school experienced the theft of its “Gator” utility vehicle and lawn mower. Now, with just a year’s gap, the golf cart purchased to replace the “Gator” has also been taken.
As the football season approaches, the Andrew Jackson Athletic Department is urging the local community for assistance to obtain essential equipment.
The incident occurred just before 4:00 a.m. on Thursday. Surveillance footage shows two individuals crossing the school’s track. Their faces were obscured as they headed towards the locked gate beneath the stadium.
“You could tell that they went exactly to what they were going for,” said John Sanchez, the school’s athletic director.
When the coaching staff arrived at school Thursday morning they noticed the lock was cut, the gate was open and the golf cart was missing.
Two thieves had stolen the school’s golf cart that’s used to transport students and equipment off the field.
“When you take away from the school, you’re hurting the kids, not the adults,” Sanchez said.
This is the second time in less than a year that the school had a cart stolen.
“This is part 2,” Sanchez said.
The one stolen Thursday was a replacement cart that wasn’t even a year old.
“It’s a tough blow for us because acquiring such items is challenging,” he expressed. “Raising funds for this kind of equipment is difficult, and once we obtain it, we take measures to secure it. So when it’s taken from us, it’s a significant setback.”
With the Duval County School Police investigating and football season just weeks away, the school is now leaning on the community for help.
“We just want our equipment returned. These purchases aren’t easy for us, and losing them is disheartening. It’s all for the benefit of the kids and the community,” Sanchez stated. “All we can do is seek help and await the results of the investigation.”
The school’s first football game is their preseason classic in two weeks and a fundraiser is already underway to replace the golf cart, with a goal of raising $5,000.
