SAN DIEGO — A San Diego man told CBS 8 he has spent over a year trying to get justice after a woman keeps stealing things from their mailboxes and harassing neighbors in an Oak Park neighborhood.
Bruce Thompson said in 2023, a woman named Kim showed up to his door step in Oak Park on Blackton Drive and claimed she was homeless and hungry.
"I ended up giving her food and buying her a cell phone. She claimed her cell phone had been stolen. I also ended up buying her some clothing. I have helped various homeless people and I wanted to help her," said Thompson.
Ever since then, he said she’s been terrorizing the neighborhood; stealing hundreds of packages and harassing neighbors.
"In addition to stealing things, she has also committed vandalism to the tenant of $5,000, throwing rocks in smashing windows. One neighbor said he's been assaulted by her," said Thompson.
Thompson even has video and pictures to prove it. He said she’s been arrested several times, goes in and out of jail, and then continues her crime spree all over again.
"And there's no reason why she won't continue doing this," said Thompson.
He reached out to San Diego Police.
"But, I'm told often told that their hands are tied," said Thompson.
Many neighbors have even sounded off on “Nextdoor," even sending emails to Thompson writing:
“Hi Bruce,
She is back at it again! She tried to steal our package, but I confronted her. I’m not taking this anymore."
CBS 8 reached out to the San Diego Police Department on Monday and talked with the captain on the case who said she will get back with more information.
Thompson is frustrated that action was not taken sooner and said crimes could have been prevented. He is hoping this will spread awareness and enforce change in the criminal justice system.
"I want citizens in San Diego to know our criminal justice system is broken and I believe our city has failed us in the way they've been dealing with the homelessness situation," said Thompson.