Jacksonville Police Arrest 18-Year-Old in Savannah Drive Burglary Attempt

I live in a quiet neighborhood, and I imagine you might too. That’s why stories like this hit harder than most. An 18-year-old man, Bobby Jeremiah Montgomery, was arrested just after midnight on a Friday—caught walking through a Jacksonville neighborhood in all black, carrying a large knife.

The arrest happened on Savannah Drive, but it wasn’t a one-off. According to police, between July 11 and 15, multiple people reported seeing a man with two knives trying to break into homes. Detectives had been canvassing the area, hoping for surveillance footage. Then, during one of those routine checks, they saw him in person—matching the description exactly.

It wasn’t just attempted burglary. He’s also charged with “going armed to the terror of the people,” a serious charge under North Carolina law that signals just how dangerous this could’ve turned out. Police didn’t just rely on reports—they stayed present, and that presence made all the difference.

Have you ever felt uneasy walking outside your own front door at night? Let me know what steps you’ve taken to feel safer at home.

How the Savannah Drive Burglaries Unfolded Over Several Days?

If you’ve ever had that gut feeling something strange is happening in your neighborhood, you’re not alone. That’s exactly what residents on Savannah Drive were dealing with. Between July 11 and 15, multiple people reached out to Jacksonville Police, worried about a man lurking around their homes—with not just one, but two large knives.

According to a report by WCTI 12, the police didn’t wait. They actively canvassed the neighborhood, asking for any footage or tips from residents. Some had surveillance videos. Others just had uneasy stories. But together, it painted a pattern that couldn’t be ignored.

On July 19, a little after midnight, detectives already patrolling the area spotted a man walking in all black. He was carrying what looked like a knife. That’s when they moved in. Turns out, it was the same guy residents had been reporting all week.

You know what’s chilling? He was walking like nothing was wrong—while neighbors were locking their doors and sleeping uneasily just feet away.

Who is the Suspect? Bobby Jeremiah Montgomery Profile

The man police arrested is 18-year-old Bobby Jeremiah Montgomery. If you’re surprised someone that young is facing serious burglary charges—you’re not alone. But this wasn’t just about trespassing.

Montgomery was arrested for attempted first-degree burglary and something you might not hear often: going armed to the terror of the people.

WNCT reported that detectives found him carrying at least one large knife the night they arrested him. That weapon alone turned what might have been a routine break-in charge into something far more serious.

He’s currently in the Onslow County Jail on a $30,000 bond. No word yet on whether he’s made bail, but either way—it’s a reminder that age doesn’t equal harmless.

Honestly, it makes you think: how many people are walking our streets at night with intentions that don’t show on their face?

Charges like these aren’t isolated—a Western Springs man was recently arrested under similar accusations of breaking into homes while armed.

What This Unusual Charge Means in North Carolina Law?

Let’s be real—“going armed to the terror of the people” sounds like something out of a medieval courtroom. But in North Carolina, it’s very real. And if you’ve never heard of it before, you’re not alone.

Here’s what it means: if someone walks around with a deadly weapon in a threatening way—even without actually hurting anyone—they can be charged under this law. It’s not about what they did; it’s about what they were clearly ready to do.

In Bobby Montgomery’s case, this wasn’t just a guy out for a late-night stroll. He was dressed in all black, carrying a knife, and had already been reported by neighbors trying to break into homes. The law is meant to protect the public from exactly this kind of threat.

For you, as a resident, that means police don’t have to wait for someone to act violently. Just carrying a weapon in a way that spreads fear can land them behind bars. That’s a layer of protection many of us didn’t even know existed.

Not every attempted burglary ends without harm. In this Pennsylvania case, the suspects opened fire during a home invasion—reminding us how quickly these situations can escalate.

How Surveillance & Community Tips Helped Police Crack the Case?

This case didn’t get solved because of one lucky moment. It came together because people spoke up—and tech backed them up.

Neighbors noticed something felt off. They called it in. Some even had doorbell camera footage or noticed a suspicious pattern. Jacksonville detectives didn’t ignore those tips. They took them seriously and made a plan to be in the area.

And guess what? That decision paid off. Police didn’t catch him based on a random patrol—they were already there, following up on residents’ reports. That kind of response time doesn’t just happen. It takes people like you willing to say, “Hey, something’s not right.”

If you’ve got security cameras around your home, or you’re part of a local group chat or neighborhood app, now’s the time to keep using them. Those small things can make a big difference. In this case, they might’ve stopped something much worse.

Similar to a recent home invasion in Alexander City, the suspect here was young and allegedly acting alone—which raises concerns about rising individual threats in residential areas.

Jacksonville House Burglary Trends: Is Crime on the Rise in 2025?

Let’s zoom out for a second. Was this just one bad night—or part of a bigger trend?

Truth is, Jacksonville’s burglary rate has been drawing attention lately. In 2024, there were dozens of reported break-ins, and early signs in 2025 show the numbers are continuing to climb. Especially in quieter neighborhoods where people feel safest.

While national burglary rates have dipped slightly, local communities like ours sometimes buck the trend. And it’s not just about statistics—it’s about how safe you feel at home.

It’s worth noting that suspects like Montgomery often start small—maybe checking door handles, watching for patterns—and escalate over time. The fact that this arrest involved weapons makes it all the more serious.

If you’re someone who usually feels like “that kind of thing won’t happen on my street,” it might be time to rethink your home security habits. I say that not to scare you, but to help you stay a step ahead.

What about your neighborhood—have you noticed anything off lately? Drop a comment and let’s talk about what safety looks like where you live.

Tips for Jacksonville Residents to Prevent Home Break-Ins

Look, you don’t have to build a fortress to feel safe—but doing nothing isn’t the move either. If you’re wondering what you can do to lower your risk, here’s where I’d start:

• Install motion-sensor lights. Darkness is a burglar’s best friend. Light changes that.
• Use doorbell cameras or basic CCTV. You’d be surprised how many break-ins are solved with a $100 camera.
• Don’t ignore odd behavior. That one time someone walks too slowly past your driveway? Mention it to a neighbor or local watch group.
• Lock everything—always. Even if you’re just running to the store.
• Join a community group. WhatsApp chats, Facebook groups, or even a group SMS thread can be a game-changer when something feels off.

It’s not about being paranoid. It’s about being prepared. In this case, the people who called in strange activity might’ve prevented someone from getting hurt—or worse.

Final Thoughts

Look, I’m not here to scare you. But I also won’t sugarcoat what happened.

An armed 18-year-old roamed a Jacksonville neighborhood for days, tried to break into homes, and got caught carrying a knife—at midnight. That’s not something you brush off. It’s something you pay attention to.

If you live in Jacksonville or a similar area, now’s the time to get involved. Talk to your neighbors. Make sure your doors and cameras are working. And if you ever get that gut feeling something’s off—trust it.

Want more real-world home safety stories like this? Explore more cases in our Home Security section.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available reports and police statements. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Details may evolve as new information becomes available.