Wichita Falls PD Warn of Theft and Burglary Spike During the Holidays
By: David Gonzalez
Updated: December 6, 2012
Wichita Falls police are receiving high praise from a woman who says they quickly made an arrest and returned her belongings after a recent burglary at her home.
This is just one example of how crimes like this increase during the holiday season.
Police say there are a few simple tips that may help you from becoming the next victim of a theft or burglary.
Debi Walter, a Wichita Falls resident, says she became the victim of a burglary last Tuesday after her daughter forgot to shut the garage door.
"One little mistake,"" Walters says. "We had a garage door open and they came in the garage and burglarized both cars."
Walters says thieves stole cash, gift cards, purses and even a gun.
"We need to be aware of our surroundings and we need to make sure that we're vigilant and take care of our things." Walter says.
Wichita Falls Police Sergeant John Spragins says during the holiday season, two of the major crimes they see go up are thefts and burglaries.
"I think there are many things to attribute to the spike in thefts... the holiday season, obviously, you're going to have more people out and about, that includes the criminal," Sgt. Spragins says.
Spragins says taking the time to make sure windows and doors are locked up, hiding belongings and or even leaving a light on while away will take the opportunity away from the thieves.
"They're looking for open garage doors. They're looking for a house that has a weeks worth of newspapers sitting out front. Those are all tall-tale indicators that maybe someone is not there. Leaving an opportunity for them to committ a theft or burglary or whatever," Spragin says.
Walters says police were able to track down the thieves after she noticing irregular activity in her accounts.
"This doesn't happen very often that everything in a case just kind of falls together but it did and when it did, they absolutely ran with it," Walter says. "I couldn't be more pleased with how the Wichita Falls police officers handled this."
A situation that has taught Walter's family a scary lesson.
"I want them to know, 'We're not scared' and this is my home and I'll protect it. I'm grateful, grateful, grateful for the Wichita Falls P.D.
Sergeant Spragins says if you are going to be away for your home for the holidays, you can sign up your home for patrol checks.
If you would like to learn more about patrol checks, just visit the Wichita Falls Police Department's website.
This is just one example of how crimes like this increase during the holiday season.
Police say there are a few simple tips that may help you from becoming the next victim of a theft or burglary.
Debi Walter, a Wichita Falls resident, says she became the victim of a burglary last Tuesday after her daughter forgot to shut the garage door.
"One little mistake,"" Walters says. "We had a garage door open and they came in the garage and burglarized both cars."
Walters says thieves stole cash, gift cards, purses and even a gun.
"We need to be aware of our surroundings and we need to make sure that we're vigilant and take care of our things." Walter says.
Wichita Falls Police Sergeant John Spragins says during the holiday season, two of the major crimes they see go up are thefts and burglaries.
"I think there are many things to attribute to the spike in thefts... the holiday season, obviously, you're going to have more people out and about, that includes the criminal," Sgt. Spragins says.
Spragins says taking the time to make sure windows and doors are locked up, hiding belongings and or even leaving a light on while away will take the opportunity away from the thieves.
"They're looking for open garage doors. They're looking for a house that has a weeks worth of newspapers sitting out front. Those are all tall-tale indicators that maybe someone is not there. Leaving an opportunity for them to committ a theft or burglary or whatever," Spragin says.
Walters says police were able to track down the thieves after she noticing irregular activity in her accounts.
"This doesn't happen very often that everything in a case just kind of falls together but it did and when it did, they absolutely ran with it," Walter says. "I couldn't be more pleased with how the Wichita Falls police officers handled this."
A situation that has taught Walter's family a scary lesson.
"I want them to know, 'We're not scared' and this is my home and I'll protect it. I'm grateful, grateful, grateful for the Wichita Falls P.D.
Sergeant Spragins says if you are going to be away for your home for the holidays, you can sign up your home for patrol checks.
If you would like to learn more about patrol checks, just visit the Wichita Falls Police Department's website.
