SALADO, Texas — Local police departments are reminding Central Texans to practice good habits in keeping their vehicle protected from car thieves after multiple vehicle burglaries and cases of unauthorized use of a vehicle happened in a few day span.
"I think the most important thing is that we remove whatever crime conducive conditions we have on our properties," said Salado Police Chief Allen Fields. "We don't leave our vehicles unlocked. We don't leave valuables in sight in our vehicles. We close our garage doors. We turn on exterior lights."
Fields and his team have several active investigations or worked cases recently across the Village of Salado including two unauthorized use of a motor vehicle cases, a recovered stolen vehicle and many burglary cases of stolen items ranging from $5-$800.
The investigation underway by Fields, and other nearby law enforcement agencies, is still in the early stages. Fields told 6 News it was too early to say what the thieves end goal is in the string of auto crime.
"Could be that they are crimes of opportunity, could be that they are collecting items, stealing items and then selling them for money for other things," Fields said. "In the past there have been groups of juveniles that would commit burglaries in order to further other events, other criminal episodes."
Newer Salado resident, David Guthrie, was one of the victims to the recent burglars. His daughter's vehicle was driven off his property in the middle of the night.
"You feel violated, I was trying to get away from this kind of stuff," Guthrie said. "Well, here we are -- letting our guard down, thinking we're safe and then realizing we're really not."
Fortunately, Guthrie's daughter's vehicle was recovered and returned. He said the vehicle wasn't damaged, but it did smell like drugs has been inside of it while it was in the burglars possession.
"It's very disruptive to our lives, it's unsettling to your peace of mind," Guthrie said. "I'm just grateful that we got it back and hopefully we don't have to experience it again and that we can band together as a community and just have put a stop to this nonsense."
It's why the Salado resident is fighting for awareness of the crime happening, while promoting safety for the village.
We stay vigilant, community watch and enhancing that," Guthrie added. "I think the other thing is making sure our law enforcement officers and the chief here that they have the resources they need to do their job, and enhancing the security and surveillance systems that are in place. I think one of the most important things is, is having the right authorities that are enforcing the law. We can band together as a community and put a stop to this nonsense."
Guthrie is going to be working alongside Chief Fields in the future to create better security in the village, for law enforcement and citizens.
In the meantime, Fields wants citizens to be vigilant and said crime doesn't know city limits.
"We have the luxury of being in a small village. however, we're close enough to major metropolitan areas that it's gonna spill over," Fields said.
Here are cases involving auto theft that the Salado Police Department has shared with 6 News:
Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
On Sunday morning, 05/19/2024, at approximately 8:00am, Salado Police Department was dispatched to the intersection of Main and Royal Streets in reference to a report of a stolen vehicle. Upon arrival, officers observed no signs of forced entry. Contact was made with the reporting party who advised he parked his 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe adjacent to his business at approximately 6:00pm on 05/18/2024. According to the reporting party, he believes he left the keys in the vehicle at that time. The vehicle was observed missing the next morning. The vehicle was entered into NCIC/TCIC as well as the Flock system. Contact was made with surrounding law enforcement agencies, and they were advised of the theft. While assisting Belton Police Department with a stolen trailer investigation, our stolen vehicle was located, unattended, in the 17000 block of FM 2115. The vehicle has subsequently been returned to its owner. Investigation continues by Salado Police Department.
Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
On Monday Morning, 05/20/2024, at approximately 1:30 am, Salado Police Department was dispatched to the 3400 block of Chisholm Trail in reference to a report of a stolen vehicle. Upon arrival, officers observed no signs of forced entry. Contact was made with the reporting party who advised his daughters 2016 Lincoln Navigator was taken from their driveway without permission. The vehicle was entered into NCIC/TCIC as well as the Flock system as stolen property. Contact was made with surrounding law enforcement agencies, and they were advised of the theft. The vehicle, occupied by 4 juveniles, was later located by the Temple Police Department. The vehicle has subsequently been returned to its owners. Formal charges are currently pending.
Assist outside Agency
On Monday morning, 05/20/2024, at approximately 7:42am, Salado Police Department was dispatched to the 2900 block of Chisholm Trail in reference to a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle, a 2017 Kia Sorento, was parked and unattended in the wood line. A check of the vehicle registration revealed the registered owner to have a residence in Temple, Texas. Contact was made with Temple Police Department, who in turn contacted the registered owner, and it was learned the vehicle was stolen out of Temple on 05/19/2024. Several items suspected of being stolen were located near and around the vehicle. The registered owner responded to the scene and per Temple Police Department request, the vehicle was released. Investigation continues by Temple Police Department.
Burglary of a Motor Vehicle
On Monday morning, 05/20/2024, Salado Police Department was dispatched to multiple reports of burglaries involving unlocked motor vehicles. Values of stolen items ranged from $5.00 to approximately $800 (MacBook laptop CPU). Investigation continues by Salado Police Department.
Salado PD isn't the only law enforcement organization that has seen an uptick in auto-related crime cases, as the Jarrell Police Department has also reported several vehicle burglaries recently.