JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville man says all of his firefighter training gear was inside his car when it was stolen from an Arlington apartment complex – for the second time in just a few months.
Anel Muratovic wants to join Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. He is just a few months away from finishing a firefighter training program at First Coast Technical College in St. Augustine.
“So close, so close. I finished my EMT last year. That was the easy part,” he said. “Fire academy, not so easy. It’s really difficult, very strenuous physically.”
This #Jacksonville man needs your help! He says all of his firefighter training gear was inside his red Volvo when it was stolen from an Arlington apartment complex @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/QJHrSkiUyL
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) April 22, 2018
He said he wanted to spend time with family Friday, so he stayed the night at his mom’s at Azalea Ridge Apartments.
When he walked outside at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, he said his red Volvo was missing.
“My fire uniform from fire academy is in there,” he said. “The coat, helmet, trousers, the boots, the Nomex hood.”
Muratovic said he rented the gear for $850 and will have to pay thousands to get a new set.
“I can’t do anything without that uniform. Can’t go into any fires,” he said. “This upcoming Saturday, we have a wild burn, it’s a wild land burn, and I won’t be able to participate in that and it’s mandatory.”
He wants to be a firefighter for #Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department but says he won't be able to complete his training program without the gear -- which will cost thousands of dollars to replace @ActionNewsJax https://t.co/OBB96S5rSq
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) April 22, 2018
He said the car was recovered nearby a few days after it was stolen from the same apartment complex in January.
He showed Action News Jax the key to the car and said he’s not sure how the thieves got inside.
He said he doesn’t care about getting the car back this time, he just needs the gear.
“Let them throw it out the window for all I care. As long as I get the uniform back,” he said. “If anybody leaves a big red bag somewhere, it says, 'turnout gear' on it.”
Muratovic said he hopes someone finds the bag or recognizes the South of the Border, sugar skull and JAX stickers on the back of the car before his training Saturday.
Action News Jax reached out to an apartment complex manager to find out if there’s surveillance video of the theft.
The manager said he’s still reviewing the footage.
The #Jacksonville man says this isn't the first time the red Volvo has been stolen from his mom's Arlington apartment complex. This time, he says he doesn't care about getting the car back. He just needs the gear @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/9lx4SePlUr
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) April 22, 2018
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