Austin Police Warn Of Spike In Car Thefts

EAST AUSTIN, TX -- Police are warning people living in East Austin that there has been a marked increase in the number of car burglaries and thefts in the Knollwood section along the Colorado River.

Several incidents have occurred in the last couple of weeks in the East Austin neighborhood located just off U.S. 183 and south of East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Police released still images of suspects involved in a car burglary. Anyone with information on the crimes or who recognizes the suspects is urged to call the Region 3 Tip line at (512)-974-8106.

The Austin Police Department offered residents several safety tips:

• Always lock your car, even if it's parked in the driveway. Professional car burglars walk down targeted streets, checking for open doors.
• Never leave valuables in plain view inside a vehicle. Also, it's better to have such valuables already stored away before reaching a destination, as car burglars may be watching upon your arrival to see valuables being stored away. This tactic should be employed when going to the gym, school or daycare -- trips to which people often leave their valuables inside their vehicles before entering. Again, professional car burglars target certain places knowing of people's habits of leaving valuables.
• Do not leave garage door openers inside your vehicle, as the burglar then would have access to your home in the event the car is burglarized.
• Don't leave the car running and unattended. Not only is this illegal, but insurance firms sometimes will deny claims on property loss under what they consider "owner-assisted auto theft."