Most of the cars were locked but most of the items were in plain view of the burglar, said Sgt. Brad Hunt, Temple Police Department public information officer.
Police reports show the burglaries took place all over town with most places being hit more than once. Robinhood Drive and Patrick Henry Street had two burglaries, three occurred on 31st Street and two on Amber Meadow Loop.
In August this year the Telegram reported a spate of burglaries that had happened on 15th Street. Now that the weather isn’t as hot and the economy is on a downturn, thieves are back in action.
Apart from having an officer on every corner during the early hours of the morning police say they are chasing their tails when it comes to car burglaries.
Often the thieves leave little evidence and the crimes are reported hours after the theft occurs.
By ensuring that your belongings are hidden, the opportunity for a quick break in and theft is reduced.
“Keep things out of sight in your car,” Sgt. Allen Teston, Temple Police public information officer, said in August. “Don’t leave your phone and camera on the front seat. They are items that are easily taken and quickly sold.”
Always hide your belongings from sight, including CDs, briefcases, address books, mobile electronics, toys, shopping bags.
“Anything purchased for holidays should be put in the trunk,” Officer Bryan Davis said at a community meeting on Tuesday night.
Davis said about 90 percent of items stolen end up in pawn shops. so making sure items are identified as yours makes them easier to be found in the local pawn store.
Documenting the property and having photographs of personal items help police in recovery.
The list of what others find attractive is often questionable. Last week it was a gym bag stuffed with clothes. Other items are exactly what you’d expect a criminal to steal: four knives and a box of bullets. The rule may be as simple as: if it is not attached to the car, take it out. Lock your car doors at all times and if you keep your car in the garage make sure your garage is locked too.
The automatic garage door opener is another item giving burglars an unintentional invitation to visit your home.
Davis said that sometimes burglars have taken garage door remotes from unlocked cars and used them later to gain access to the house.
