A smash-and-grab spree before dawn Wednesday hit 10 stores in and near San Marco Square.
Police were called out just before 5 a.m. after several businesses had been vandalized near the 1900 block of San Marco Boulevard, police said.
Police found shattered front windows on 10 stores: Sherwin-Williams paint store, Underwood Jewelers, Peterbrooke Chocolatier, Heyday!, Town Hall restaurant, Maple Street Biscuit Co., Bank of America, The Grape & Grain Exchange, Missy Riley Art & Pieces and Firehouse Subs.
The security camera at Firehouse Subs caught images of a man wearing a black hoodie and red shorts, appearing to reach for the potato chip rack. The police report indicated that five bags and a soda were stolen there.
An employee at one of the restaurants told officers she thought someone used rocks to shatter the windows. An officer found smooth, gray-colored rocks inside and outside the business.
Shattered windows and other damage totaled about $29,000, and some items were stolen or destroyed inside some businesses, police reports said. That included a glass ice bucket, lantern and a set of glasses at Missy’s, valued together at $340, a report said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (904) 630-0500 or JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a possible reward, contact First Coast Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-8477 (TIPS).