Special resources committed to the Sugar Land Police Department’s holiday enforcement team are expected to build on the arrests of two people allegedly responsible for numerous vehicle burglaries in Sugar Land.
A group of officers has been assigned to an “impact team” that will focus exclusively on vehicle burglaries and shopper safety during the holiday season, a time when these crimes
The team will build on the recent arrests of Ernesto Ochoa, 20, of El Campo, and a 16-year-old, both caught breaking into cars on the north side of Sugar Land and could be responsible for similar incidents outside of the city limits. Both were charged with several counts of burglarizing a motor vehicle.
Officers focusing on holiday crimes will have department-wide resources available, including investigations, crime prevention and citizen volunteers.
“We’re aggressively attacking a problem that we see throughout the year, but more so during the holidays,” said SLPD Sgt. Mike Richards. “Drivers are leaving property in their vehicles, which creates an easy target for thieves. Those caught breaking into vehicles will be arrested and stand a good chance of spending their Christmas in jail.”
Items typically targeted during vehicle burglaries include purses, wallets, computer equipment and electronics (i.e., I-pods, GPS devices, cellular phones and radar detectors).
The task force plans to saturate areas identified as “hot spots” with newly created impact teams. Special stings and surveillance operations will also be conducted.
In addition to enforcement, the task force will work closely with resdients and owners of retail areas, especially shopping centers and fitness clubs.
SLPD offers the following tips to help prevent vehicle burglaries:
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Keep vehicles locked at all times.
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When parked overnight, remove all valuables from vehicles.
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When shopping, make one trip to the car with purchased
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merchandise, and then leave the lot. Thieves have been known to watch shoppers as they place merchandise in their cars before returning to a store.
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Never leave identification, wallets, credit cards or jewelry in vehicles while visiting fitness centers. Doing so is much riskier than using a locker inside the gym or leaving the items at home.
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If personal property must be left in a car, lock it in the trunk. This option does not exist for pick-up trucks or SUVs. Thieves are aware that there is no secure place to store items in these types of vehicles.
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Before leaving a vehicle, take a second to look inside and make sure nothing is visible from the outside that could attract a thief.
Often criminals cross jurisdictions. Let’s hope the law is really concerned about these acts that usually cost the system rather than revenue producing methods like fines, fees, etc.
Repeat offenders, should make it pretty easy to catch these guys, don’t we have a list of parolees and such. I wonder how many live in my area?
Blame the criminal, not the owner. Of course criminals prey on unlocked cars and cars with valuables visible but make no mistake, the responsibility is on everyone to catch these criminals and put them away. If you have criminals staking out parking lots then what you have is merchants and local police not doing there jobs. Take a look in the mirror policeman and mall security. Video has made your jobs much easier to catch these criminals.
I’ve read that most crime is committed by repeat offenders, often on some form of probation. I’m sure the job picture can’t be helping too.
I am correct that stealing a car or burglary of a car is no longer a felony? I thought something was passed that diminished the severity of the crime because we had too many cases and these ( small cases ) were used to put people away for much longer periods if this was a 2nd or 3rd felony.
Which ever the case may be, let us hope that local law enforcement agencies are on the ball this holiday season with the economic situation.
Please point to the post in here that you placed that is on topic?
no you’re not funny you’re off topic as usual.
How funny.
why are you off topic? hahaha
You can still blame Grady if you like. LOL
“The team will build on the recent arrests of Ernesto Ochoa, 20, of El Campo”
Thats interesting SL is now getting it from both sides.
AND many people do not even report these car breakins. Mine has been ramshackeled several times this year and all I can say to the bums is, “good luck finding something you want – I haven’t been able to for years.”
It would also be nice if the malls would pay for some MAJOR parking lot security during Christmas time. I’m talking spotters on the roof, mounted police, undercover shoppers, etc etc etc
I like these suggestions, but I would also like to add that it would be nice to trace some of these criminals back to their city of choice and if they are out on some form of probation or deferment, when they commit these acts, then those policing and enforcement agencies should have to pay reparations to the victims and the new jurisdiction that re-arrests them. Maybe those type of incentives would help cut down on some of this repeat business.
I’m sure the job situation isn’t helping either.