Vigilant residents help put on car break-ins One confrontation had armed neighbors chasing off miscreants
HUTTO — Concern about rising car thefts and a more watchful population are paying off, resulting in the arrests of five suspected auto burglars, police said.
However, in another recent incident, armed neighbors themselves ended up chasing off some suspected vehicle burglars, according to neighborhood accounts.
The case involving the five arrests is just the latest example where residents calling in a tip have safely aided officers in preventing a suspected crime, investigators said.
“Criminal behavior isn’t static, and trends change based on a variety of factors,” Police Chief Jeffrey Yarbrough told the City Council in August. “The recent increase in thefts and car burglaries in Hutto may be influenced by crimes of opportunity, such as vehicles being left unlocked with valuables inside as well as seasonal changes and higher foot traffic during the summer.” He added, “In Hutto, community vigilance has been instrumental in deterring many of these crimes. Residents regularly report suspicious persons and behavior in their neighborhoods, which recently helped Hutto PD in locating and detaining several potential car burglary suspects.”
In the episode that led to the arrests, officers received a 1:30 a.m. Monday call from a Glenwood neighbor who reported a group trying to break into a vehicle, investigators said.
According to a statement from the city: “Night-watch patrol officers were in the area within minutes and located five subjects on foot. All five were detained, and a field investigation revealed the subjects were attempting to burglarize vehicles by pulling on door handles, only entering unlocked vehicles. All five were taken into custody.”
Investigators said the suspects are not from Hutto and entered the city driving two vehicles reported as stolen in Austin.
Meanwhile, officials said officers have received multiple calls from residents about unlocked vehicles being burglarized on Sunday night and Monday morning.
According to Yarbrough, the breakins are the work of organized groups whose members run away and jump into a waiting car when confronted.
One such confrontation happened the previous weekend in the Park at Brushy Creek neighborhood.
A resident reported on social media that after being repeatedly targeted by a group he said was attempting to burglarize cars, several neighbors set up a late-night watch and stood outside on the street. Some carried weapons.
The thieves returned, but fled when they saw the armed neighbors.
When police arrived, they at first had to ensure safety was maintained, said Mayor Mike Snyder.
“Upon arriving at the scene, people were seen armed with rifles and a handgun,” Snyder said. “As one would expect, additional Hutto PD units were called as no one knew who the armed people were. An interaction with police happened whereby Hutto PD was able to determine that the people with the guns belonged in the area where they were.”
The contact between officers and neighbors lasted three minutes and no officers ever drew their weapons before things got sorted out, said Snyder, citing bodycamera footage.
Veteran lawenforcement officials often advise residents not to engage suspected criminals but to call police, to avoid misunderstandings or even accidental violence.
“Most vehicle burglaries are committed by individuals merely pulling on handles of cars and moving on until they find one that is an unlocked car,” according to a city statement.
Those who believe they are crime victims or have security-camera footage should call the Police Department at 512-846-2200.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted via text by sending the keyword HUTTOPD followed by the message/tip to 847411 (tip411).
“ “In Hutto, community vigilance has been instrumental in deterring many of these crimes.”
— Police Chief Jeffrey Yarbrough
