Steal car, laptops, wallet

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Two homes in River Place were burglarized — a car, wallet, laptops, etc. were taken — at least one of the families was home sleeping at the time.

Reported on June 24 to Austin Police Department, one burglary was reported at 8:34 a.m. in the 10700 block of Sun Tree Cove and the other was reported around 10:29 a.m. in the 5800 block of Brittlyns Court.

“Our home was entered by two men,” said Marcy Keefe. “We were home and asleep. We got home at around midnight and the car was there.”

“They took two laptops and also rummaged through our garage,” Keefe said. “They took my husband’s only truck key. They stole my son’s car and parked it at Oltorf and Lamar.”

The next day, they got the car back. Everyone was safe, she said.

Keefe filed a report with APD and alerted neighbors by posting on the Nextdoor social media site.

These guys also burglarized another River Place home, rummaged through their house and took a wallet, she said.

“They went to 7-11 and tried to use a credit card and so there is video of them,” Keefe said. “The 7-11 footage is from around 3 a.m. so likely around 2 a.m. These guys were bold.”

APD is investigating and cannot comment specifically on these crimes. According to APD, there were no arrests as of presstime.

APD reminds the local community to lock doors and vehicles, especially if they have valuables in them and garage remotes.

“Keep shrubs and bushes below 3 feet and tree lines cut up to 7 feet for a good line of sight for your home,” said John Gabrielson, APD Region 2 District Representative.

“Lock your garage doors and have a solid core door between the garage and the house,” he said.

Gabrielson also recommends having proper lighting on the corners and sides of the home and walkway lights. He adds that there are ring apps and security systems and cameras that work well too.

Homeowners can have APD come out for a complimentary security survey. Call  (512) 974-5000 to line that up.

Keefe echoes APD’s burglary prevention tips.

“Consider some security system or whatever you feel is right for you to keep yourself and family safe,” she added. “We are okay and will be good but I will not let my guard down again.”