JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Police on Monday asked for the public's help identifying two people sought in connection with an attack and robbery last month on Jacksonville Beach.
It was reported just before 3 a.m. March 31 on the beach near Seventh Avenue South.
According to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, a 38-year-old Jacksonville man said had been at the beach bars earlier and decided to walk on the beach. He said he had just ended a phone call when two other men came up to him, demanded his belongings, emptied his pockets and beat him up before taking off with his wallet, the police report stated. The man told police that he believes he was attacked with a hammer.
After the attack, according to the police report, the man crawled up someone's back steps, pushed open the door and moaned for help. Police said the man was taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries to his head.
"That's a shame that that kind of stuff is happening out here," said Alan Vinson, who lives in Jacksonville Beach.
Vinson and other Jacksonville Beach residents said they typically feel safe walking around the beachside community, even after the sun goes down.
"I’ve always thought of this as one of the safer parts of town," resident Judy Bradshaw said.
Some of them said they will now be more cautious while walking around at night.
"I will be, especially, you know, if I'm out, happened to be walking late at night like that," Vinson said.
Police said the two men wanted in the attack and robbery used the man's credit cards at multiple locations in Jacksonville, and were seen traveling in a Chevrolet car.
Anyone who recognizes the two pictured in the surveillance images released Monday or who has information about the case is asked to call 904-247-4030, or email mbrossart@jaxbchfl.net or tipline@jaxbchfl.net.