HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — The Hutto Police Department arrested five people early Monday morning who they believe stole valuables from cars in a south Hutto subdivision.
Police got a call around 1:30 a.m. Labor Day from the Glenwood Subdivision about a group of people walking around stealing from parked cars. The suspects were minors, police said.
Within minutes, officers got there and arrested the suspects, according to Lt. Nathan Spraggins. He attributes that speed to how the department has reprioritized patrol units.
“Be in the neighborhoods more than the highways, really putting an emphasis on being in the neighborhoods in the late hours,” he said. “We really want our guys focused on the neighborhoods and being visible so we’re available for fast response.”
Spraggins added that most of the cars the suspects stole from were unlocked, and valuables were left visible.
Investigators said the teens drove to Hutto in vehicles stolen from Austin, and auto theft and burglary of vehicle cases have risen.
“In the last few months, we’ve had approximately 50,” Spraggins said.
Law enforcement agencies across Central Texas said the biggest concern regarding a spike in auto theft is the fact the vehicles are often used for more serious crimes.
The below chart highlights the most frequent crimes committed in Austin with stolen vehicles or during auto thefts for all of 2022 and most of 2023, according to APD data.
As the trend spikes not only statewide, but nationwide, Spraggins has a message for anyone planning to target cars in Hutto.
“Our community is not going to tolerate this,” he said. “They are going to call us. And we are going to go out there and we are going to make it a priority to catch you.”
In the spirit of continuing to build relationships with the community, Spraggins encourages the people of Hutto to attend next month’s National Night Out event on Oct. 3.