It's shopping season again in Central Texas, and while there seems to be deals every day after Thanksgiving, Killeen Burglary Division Sgt. Ricardo Martinez said he hears about a new burglary every night.
"I can tell you that from what I see every day, there is an occurrence every night," Martinez said. "It's throughout the whole city. Kids are out of school-- they don't have anything to do but roam the streets, walk around, and hit these doors."
There are several things people can do to deter criminals, but there is one option that will help the Killeen Police Department more than anything else: Report valuables online.
Shoppers can list the serial numbers for electronics, shoes, clothing, purses and many other items.
"[The site] compares those numbers with anything that is reported stolen," Martinez said. "That's how we get a lot of potential NCIC, TCIC hits. We have had a lot of leads and we have been able to get convictions working with secondhand stores and pawn shops."
Martinez said thieves gravitate towards more than just electronics when they get into peoples homes.
“Anything that can be traded easily on the street or sold at pawn shops or second-hand stores,” Martinez said. “Jewelry, clothing, handbags, shoes are very popular right now."
Martinez said around 80 percent of burglaries happen when people fail to lock their cars or their homes doors and windows. He said thieves will randomly test car doors or the front doors in local neighborhoods until they find one that’s unlocked.
KPD officials suggest several other tips to deter burglaries:
- Lock your doors and turn on your lights when you leave so it looks like someone is home.
- If you by a TV or other valuable item, don't leave the box outside for trash pickup in a way that is visible-- especially during the holidays.
- Don't leave valuable property in places where it is easily accessible or visible from the door.