Detectives say thieves use devices to detect electronics left in your car.<\/p>\n
HOUSTON \u2014 With the holiday shopping rush in full swing, authorities warn it\u2019s also the season for thieves to target Christmas gifts and other valuables left inside your vehicle. A KHOU 11 Investigates analysis of Houston Police Department data revealed 270 theft-from-motor-vehicle reports at mall parking lots through October this year.<\/p>\n
The car break-in reports detailed thieves smashing windows to make off with expensive jewelry, designer handbags and cash.<\/p>\n
Holiday shopper Bernadine Stewart said she never lets her guard down.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are watching,\u201d Stewart said. \u201cMy daddy always said, always assume somebody is watching.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to KHOU\u2019s analysis of HPD data, these are the most popular shopping districts thieves targeted:<\/p>\n
1. The Galleria \u2014 119 break-ins<\/p>\n
2. Baybrook Mall \u2014 34 break-ins<\/p>\n
3. Rice Village \u2014 31 break-ins<\/p>\n
4. Memorial City Mall \u2014 20 break-ins<\/p>\n
5. Willowbrook Mall \u2014 17 break-ins<\/p>\n
Several shoppers told KHOU the numbers were surprising, but not shocking.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not know that statistic before, but I\u2019m not that surprised,\u201d holiday shopper Darcy Larotta said.<\/p>\n
At the Galleria, the busiest hot spot on the list, Adam Wilson reacted simply: \u201cOh wow.\u201d<\/p>\n
His wife, Abigail, said the risk feels personal during the holidays.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you’re out trying to make fun Christmas memories and you come back to your car and your stuff has been violated, that would be really, really tragic,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Harris County Sheriff\u2019s Office detective Jose Castellanos said thieves often watch shoppers and wait for moments when valuables are left unattended.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do all the shopping and then you go to a restaurant, and that’s where you become vulnerable,\u201d Castellanos said. \u201cThat’s where you leave your things inside the car. And you’re not there to protect those things.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also warned about electronics.<\/p>\n
\u201ciPads, laptops, any electronics that are left on inside the vehicle \u2026 they throw out signals, and these criminals have devices to read that,\u201d Castellanos said.<\/p>\n
KHOU 11\u2019s analysis found that Fridays are the most common day for car break-ins at Houston malls. The most frequent time window, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.<\/p>\n
The company overseeing Baybrook and Willowbrook malls, Brookfield Properties, did not provide a statement.<\/p>\n
A Rice Village spokesperson said the district is \u201caware of reports of incidents taking place across the Rice Village area,\u201d and said employs several proactive security measures, including 24-hour security patrols and a \u201cstrong working relationship with local law enforcement to ensure a safe and welcoming experience for our guests and retailers.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the Galleria said every year, the mall invests millions into its safety and security program. That includes increased patrols and coordination with HPD, deployment of new bike patrol units, upgraded and visible patrol golf carts, continued video surveillance and license plate readers at entrances. A spokesperson said during Black Friday weekend, they were not aware of any reported thefts from a motor vehicle. They also said to take the Galleria\u2019s size into consideration \u2013 it receives 25 million visits a year.<\/p>\n