Jeffrey L Minch
Security Program Coordinator
PHNA Board Vice President
jminch@littlefield.com
512-656-1383 cell
About ten days ago, we had a rash of car break-ins in Pemberton Heights. There were six such incidents reportedl between midnight and 3:00 AM.
What is gratifying is that nothing was apparently taken because there was nothing in the cars to be taken. This indicates real progress on our part as we are ensuring that there is no low hanging fruit for the crooks to pluck.
In correspondence with our Austin Police Department District Representative, we were provided the following list of incidents, none of which were in our neighborhood.
- “Burglary of Vehicle-1504 Windsor – suitcase left on the back seat
- Auto theft-615 Oakland – car was taken out of the drive way, no glass on the driveway, there was a bag in the front, possibly the spare key was in the console.
- Burglary of Vehicle-702 Oakland – no signs of forced entry. Heard dog barking, went outside and saw interior light on and door open. Resident shut the door and then opened it and noticed that the glove box had been gone through.
- Burglary of Vehicle-1011 W 5th St – window was broken and radar detector was taken
- Burglary of Vehicle-1004 Elm St – HTC EVO was left in the car and taken. Window was broken out.
- Burglary of Vehicle-1718 Palma Plaza – Laptop left in car and taken. Window was broken out.
- Burglary of Vehicle-1611 W 5th St – Large cosmetics bag with $500 worth of cosmetics taken from car
- Burglary of Vehicle-1100 Kingsbury – Two purses containing credit cards (one of which was used by the suspect), cash and other stuff, were left in the car and taken.
- Burglary of Vehicle-300 n Lamar – Wallet with four credit cards and an IPOD left in car and stolen.
- Burglary of Vehicle-806 Theresa – Digital camera was left in car and taken. No signs of forced entry into vehicle.”
The common denominator is the presence of “loot” for the criminals to steal.
Here are some common sense rules pertaining to safeguarding your cars:
- Park your cars under a light and as close to your house as possible. Cars are most vulnerable on the street or at the end of your driveway. I have read that parking a car with the front facing the street substantially diminishes the probability of being broken into. Who knows?
- Lock your car and enable the alarm.
- Take all valuables out of your car. No phones, tablets, laptops, GPS’s or digital cameras. No guns, cosmetics or other valuables.
- Keep your car keys with the panic button next to your bed when you go to bed at night. If you hear something, activate the panic alarm.
- Be very, very careful going out to inspect your car after dark as a criminal may be trying to lure you out and pounce on you. Take a flashlight with you and a spouse or a Rottweiler.
Be safe and vigilant.