In Jacksonville, Florida, the Furniture Mattress Depot on Dunn Avenue became the unexpected scene of chaos when a stolen vehicle, driven by two teenagers and a 12-year-old, plowed into the front of the store. The collision quickly escalated into a blaze, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Now, instead of welcoming customers, the store stands as a testament to the unexpected havoc, littered with shattered glass and scattered debris. The business owner, choosing to remain unnamed, shared the daunting financial implications of the incident with First Coast News, disclosing that repairs will soar past $25,000.

Donald Foy, President of MAD DADS Jacksonville, expressed empathy for the affected business owner. “I’m sorry for what happened to the business owner, you know, that they’ve got to fix up their place and all like that,” he remarked, reflecting the community’s sentiments following the incident.

“I’m sorry for what happened to the business owner, you know, that they’ve got to fix up their place and all like that,” said Donald Foy, President, MAD DADS Jacksonville

Community advocate Donald Foy says cases like this often start with what’s happening at home. He spent more than a decade working with young offenders at the Duval County Jail.

“I work with these young people like this for 11 years on the sixth floor of the jail, the ones that have been certified as adults. So I mean, I work with them, had much more serious charges than this,” said Foy.

In a statement, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office urged parents to get involved, writing: “This group made a choice — and now they’ll face the consequences.”

Foy says mentoring programs and community support can make a real difference.

“To become a mentor for these young people and to work with them through basketball, for them to learn discipline and character,” said Foy

The owner tells First Coast News he doesn’t know how he’ll raise the money to repair the damage but hopes the community will step in to help. A GoFundMe has been launched in support.