LG Police Investigating Auto Thefts
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A surveillance camera captured this image of a suspect whom police believe stole a pickup on N. Jackson St. in La Grange Wednesday.
La Grange Police are looking for information regarding two vehicles that were stolen in town on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Both vehicles were later recovered in Smithville.
La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath said the two auto thefts are likely related. Surveillance cameras captured an image of a suspect. If anyone recognizes the suspect, please contact police at (979) 968-- 5806. Gilbreath said the first theft occurred around 3 p.m. La Grange Police Sgt. Justin Koehne responded to investigate. The vehicle, a white 1995 Ford extended cab pickup, was parked in the 100 block of North Jackson street, near the side entrance to Farmer’s Lumber Company.
A witness reported to Koehne that they saw a man attempting to open doors in the H.E.B. parking lot. The witness described the suspect as a white male wearing red shorts, tennis shoes, gray T-shirt, and an orange ball cap with a white towel thrown over his shoulder. The witness continued watching the suspect, Gilbreath said. The witness said the suspect walked across Travis St. and continued walking north on Jackson St. The witness said the suspect got inside the white Ford and drove away west on Travis St. That’s when the witness called police.
La Grange Police officers and Fayette County Sheriff’s deputies conducted an extensive search around the city, but the vehicle was not located in La Grange. Several hours later, Smithville Police notified La Grange officers that they found the vehicle abandoned at a residence in Smithville.
Around 8:20 p.m., La Grange Police received another call reporting a stolen vehicle at the Garden Walk Apartments at 1018 N. Madison St. The vehicle owner told police that he came home around 7 p.m. and parked his gray 2004 Lincoln Town Car in front of his apartment. The man said he went outside around 8:20 p.m. and discovered his vehicle missing.
Several hours later, Smithville Police notified La Grange officers that they located the vehicle abandoned at an apartment complex in Smithville.
Gilbreath said that in both cases, the owners left their vehicles unlocked with keys in the ignition.
“Both of these were crimes of opportunity,” Gilbreath said.
Gilbreath advised the public to keep vehicles locked.