FBI, JPD Investigate Home Invasions

The F.B.I. and Jackson’s Police Department are working together in an effort to solve a string of home invasions in Belhaven. 

F.B.I. officials did not respond to our phone calls, and Assistant Police Chief Lee Vance wouldn’t shed any light on the partnership. 

“For obvious reasons, we don’t want to talk about strategy,“ he said. 

Authorities hope someone will recognize a sketch of a suspect complied from details they received from victims.

The thief is a light-skinned, black man in his late 20’s to early 30’s.  He’s about 5 feet 8 inches and weighs about 180 pounds.  He is typically clean cut and well-dressed.

In the most recent home invasion on Poplar Boulevard, the victim says a man walked into her home through an open door and pulled a knife on her.  He demanded money and jewelery, but got away with only cash.  The woman was not hurt.

Since April, there have been at least five home invasions in Jackson.

21-year-old Casey Davis, who moved into a single apartment in July, says she’s concerned about her safety.

“When I walk outside, I always look behind me,“ she said.  “Be aware of your surroundings and what’s going on.“

Davis relies on her dog Rommel for protection against intruders.  “Every time someone opens the door downstairs, he starts barking.“

She says she constantly checks the locks and always carries her cell phone in case of an emergency.  After the last home invasion, she says people in her building exchanged phone numbers in case of an emergency.

Full of upscale homes and populated by college students, Belhaven is notorious for car break-ins.  But now, residents are on the look-out for a man who’s terrorized their community. 

Davis says being aware and prepared are the best weapons against crime.