Recent Unlocked Vehicle Theft Leads to Several Teen Arrests
The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department responded to the area of Oak Hollow place on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at 5AM, in reference to suspicious circumstances where the 911 caller advised he observed a group of males walking around looking in vehicles parked in the area. The 911 caller additionally gave dispatchers a description of the vehicle associated with the group of males. TAPD Corporal John Gibbert located the suspect vehicle at the intersection of Ramble Wood and Trinity Blvd.
During this incident TAPD began to receive several 911 calls of vehicle burglary and theft from the area of where the incident began in the Woodline Addition. The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of 5 juvenile males, ages 15-17, all charged with 8 counts of vehicle burglary and property theft.
In every one of these cases the vehicles were left unlocked. TAPD is asking that all of our citizens become persistent in locking their vehicles. Ensuring all valuable items are not located inside the vehicle in plain sight. And remember if you see something, say something! Call 911 immediately if you hear any type of activity that sounds suspicious or unusual in anyway. Please don’t attempt to investigate on your own, just call 911 immediately.
Please utilize the TAPD mobile app to register your security cameras in their security camera surveillance database. In doing so, you can help yourself and your neighbors from being a victim of a vehicle burglary or theft. Several arrests have been made from the video surveillance that our citizens are providing to us in these cases.
Vehicle break-ins only take a few minutes – even less when the car is left unlocked or when thieves smash windows to grab items they have seen inside. Criminals will often drive though parking lots or residential neighborhoods, looking for vehicles with open windows or unlocked doors. Vehicle prowler’s watch for valuables left in the open such as; cellular phones, electronics, stereo equipment, purses, or wallets. If you must leave valuables in your car, conceal those items from view before arriving at your destination.
Be aware that vehicle break-ins commonly lead to other crimes such as fraud and identity theft, so limit the amount of personal information you keep inside your vehicle. Record serial numbers of your valuables and keep them in a safe place (not inside your vehicle).
And as always, if you see any suspicious persons or activity, call the police promptly. Anyone with information of any crime is strongly urged to contact the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department at 903-798-3154 or Texarkana area CrimeStoppers at 903-793-STOP.