By Jonathan Nolte
View Staff Writer

A recent rash of car burglaries have prompted law enforcement officials to warn residents to take additional steps to secure their vehicles and belongings as the Christmas season approaches.

Around 3:30 a.m. Nov. 13, a man reported his car alarm sounding off as several men tried to break into it. Police pursued several male subjects through Carrington Apartments and the Woods of Frederick Creek construction area before losing them near a creek bank. Police believe the suspects then escaped in another vehicle that they stole from the west side of Interstate 10.

Up to 15 vehicles parked in the Carrington Apartments and the Villas of Hampton Cove were burglarized. A pick-up truck reported stolen from San Antonio in October was found in Carrington Apartment parking lot, the engine still running. Several stolen items, including a handgun, a rifle, iPods, and other electronic devices were found in the truck. Several GPS units and car stereos were also removed from other vehicles. A Honda CRV was stolen after burglars found keys in the owner’s husband’s vehicle, but the Honda was found later, abandoned.

Police Chief Gary Miller says leads include fingerprints and records of calls made from stolen cell phones. Several items were purchased at a convenience store later that morning in northwest San Antonio using a stolen credit card that may be connected to these burglaries.