Anthony Pettis speaks out after criminals targeted vehicles at his home twice: "Scary to see where the youth is at"

Anthony Pettis speaks out after criminals targeted vehicles at his home twice: “Scary to see where the youth is at”

MILWAUKEE -- For the first time since his vehicles were targeted by criminals, MMA fighter Anthony "Showtime" Pettis spoke with FOX6 News on Monday, December 5th.

Pettis is preparing for the fight of his life.

"My goal is to become a two-division world champion and I`m one fight away from it," Pettis said.

On Saturday, December 10th, he'll try to win the Featherweight title, and throughout his training, he's had to deal with two separate crimes taking place at his home in Milwaukee.

"I`m excited about it. I feel like I put the work in, the time in and now it`s time to perform," Pettis said.

The first happened on October 27th. Three vehicles were burned in Pettis' driveway.

Milwaukee police said it appears accelerant was used to set two vehicles on fire, and the fire spread to a third vehicle in the driveway.

No one was hurt.

Vehicles set on fire at home of MMA star Anthony Pettis

After the fire, Pettis posted the following picture on Instagram:

"I'm constantly defending my choice to stay in this city. Regardless of the crimes that have been occurring lately, this is my home. I really hope the city that I rep has my back on this one."

"I`ve never felt that way before. Even in the octagon I don`t feel unsafe for my life -- and that was the first time I felt I needed to make some changes to figure out what, why and where," Pettis said.

Pettis installed surveillance cameras -- and the cameras captured another crime.

"I was driving to the gym, five minutes from my house and I was like 'this is really happening right now?'" Pettis said.

On November 30th, Pettis posted to his Facebook page surveillance video showing two people first attempting to open the door of a brown Cadillac -- locked and parked in Pettis' driveway.

They then moved onto a white Range Rover -- unlocked. After opening the passenger side door, the surveillance video showed one of the men reaching into the Range Rover before they left the scene.

Property was removed from that vehicle.

Break-ins at Anthony Pettis' home

A 13-year-old was arrested in connection with the crime.

Anthony Pettis

"It`s scary to see where the youth is at. I feel there has to be some changes and I think I`m in a position where I can make some changes so it`s up to me to go out there. Instead of how do I replace my belongs -- how do I make it right for everybody else?" Pettis said.

Pettis said he plans to continue to work with Milwaukee's youth, but he said he must first focus on the upcoming fight on Saturday, December 10th.

"I could have pulled out of the fight 10 times already, but this is too big of an opportunity for me. This is my dreams and my goals that are right there in front of me. I can just grab it," Pettis said.

As for the 13-year-old arrested in connection with the break-ins, his case is currently in the juvenile court system, so no other information is available.

Anthony Pettis will take on Max Holloway for the interm Featherwieght title Saturday in Toronto.