East Texas officials warn of surging vehicle burglaries

WOOD COUNTY, Texas ( KETK ) – Several East Texas sheriff’s offices are urging residents to make sure they lock their vehicle doors every time they leave them, even in rural areas.

“When you leave your vehicle unlocked, you’re making it so easy for these guys to take the stuff and it’s a big reward to them,” said Clint Perkins, an investigator for the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said that at least two men broke into unlocked vehicles overnight Sunday.

“The vehicles appear to be left unlocked,” Perkins said. “That is how the suspects made entry inside of the vehicle.”

Investigators said the suspects appeared to be two men driving a white Ford 4X4 crew cab. They believe the men also stole from several vehicles in Van Zandt County that same night.

“When we moved out here from Fort Worth we thought moving out into the country, things are going to be safe you don’t have to worry about your vehicles being locked as much, but that’s not necessarily the case,” Perkins said. “These people go along and check doorhandles then go on to the next vehicle.”

It’s not just happening in Wood County in Henderson County their sheriff’s office said they’ve seen a rise in car burglaries as well. They said thieves will not spend time trying to “pop a lock” and to keep your doors locked and report any suspicious behavior.

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