Jacksonville string of burglaries: suspect in custody

JACKSONVILLE — The man Jacksonville Police believe is responsible for breaking into an area duplex Wednesday is now in custody.

Police say Matthew Robertson was arrested Wednesday while attempting to break into a duplex on San Saba Road in Jacksonville.

Just a few hours later, someone broke into the same house again.

Neighbors tell KETK this type of thing has been a consistent problem for several weeks now.

"We've had probably four houses in the past month get broken into in the past month and a half," said Joey Grayson, who lives with his sister and girlfriend on San Saba. "Our house has been hit three times."

Grayson, his sister and girlfriend are afraid to leave their house.

"It's been broad daylight; it seems like they watch and make sure nobody's home when they do it," he said. "They'll either pick the front door or kick in the back door."

Grayson says almost every residence in the strip of red bricked apartments on his street has been broken into recently.

They've taken TVs, video games and equipment, money from cars, and even stole presents under their Christmas tree in December. 

"It's been a bad block right here," Grayson said, who thinks there are a few people who live close by working the block together.

"First off, we have to start the investigation," said Officer Timothy McDonald of Jacksonville Police. "With that, we gather as much information about items taken, and information about people living there, who do they know ..."

Grayson and his sister, Leah Cummins, want the police to do more.

"The cops really need to work on trying to find the people," Cummins said. "It's been going on for a while now, and you would think they would watch our road or something ... try to stop something."

McDonald says they are doing all they can, but there is only so much that they can do.

"The problem is, there is so much square footage (to cover) for the officer that's on patrol. They can't be everywhere at one time."

"It really freaks me out," Cummins said. "It's horrible we live in a kind of environment that this is going on."

Police tell KETK that Robertson was arraigned Wednesday morning and was taken to Cherokee County Sheriffs' Department.

Grayson tells us they have considered moving, but for now are getting an alarm system installed in their house.