Police Seek Suspect Accused Of Illegally Putting 'Boots' On Spider House Lounge Patrons' Cars

NORTH AUSTIN, TX -- The Austin Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in locating a suspect wanted for illegally "booting" vehicles, officials said Friday.

The suspect, William Wade Brugier, is the owner/operator of a snow cone stand named Wacky Wade's Wicked World of Snowballs, which operates from the parking lot of the popular Spider House Lounge at 2908 Fruth St., just off Guadalupe Street.

The victim who reported the incident was forced to pay $150 to get the boot removed, police said. A so-called boot is attached to a car's tire to render a vehicle inoperable until its removal, typically after a outstanding tickets are paid.

But installation of the device by Brugier is illegal, police said. for the following reasons.

• Brugier does not have a Booting License for the State of Texas;
• There was not the proper state mandated signage up;
• Booter’s are supposed to accept any form of payment and Brugier forced the victim to pay in cash;
• Booter’s are required by state law to provide a receipt for any boot removal.

Through the course of its investigation, APD learned that up to six additional people had their vehicles booted on the night of Friday, Sept. 30. None of the other victims have come forward, police noted.

Police urge anyone who may be a victim of the illegal booting to call the APD Wrecker Enforcement Unit at 512-974-8132. Tipsters also can submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

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