Car, home burglaries prompt warning

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A Northwest Austin school principal is warning parents to lock their cars and homes after a series of break-ins near Caraway Elementary School.

The spike in the crimes has occurred in the last several months and prompted the email warning to parents on Friday. Five vehicles and two homes have been burglarized and six cases of criminal mischief have been reported.

"I normally don't lock my car doors but I think I might reconsider now," said Angela Moore, who lives in the area.

On Friday,  Caraway school officials sent an email to parents reminding them to lock the doors to the vehicles and homes.

"Unfortunately, some of our Caraway parents and neighbors have had their cars vandalized over the past few weeks," the email read. "Please be sure you hide all valuables and lock your car doors. In addition, make sure you are locking your homes. We want all of our Caraway families to feel safe and secure."

Neighbors have also expressed concern about the crimes on a Laurel Oaks message board.

Most of the crimes have happened during the day, including a home burglary on Louse Biel's street.

"I was very surprised because its such a busy street and I would not have expected it to happen on this street," said Biel. "I've always been very cautious. I just keep everything locked up."

Find crime information from the Austin Police Department in your neighborhood here .