Criminals target school parking lots

WEST LAKE HILLS, Texas (KXAN) - A rash of car break-ins in West Lake Hills has police on alert. Police say the thieves are targeting cars in school parking lots.

Reports have come from at least three Eanes ISD schools plus a private pre-school.

Sgt. Donny Torres says recently car break-ins are happening every day in West Lake Hills; the majority right now on school campuses.

A letter form Eanes ISD to parents says car break-ins have also happened at Bridge Point Elementary, Valley View Elementary and Eanes Elementary campuses.

In most cases, parents left their car for just minutes to drop off or pick up a child.

Enga Santman is a mother of a Bridge Point Elementary student, and she is very aware of what’s been going on.

"A mom took her son in and when she came back out the window had been busted and her purse was stolen," Santman said.

Police say parents often leave their cars unlocked for the quick trip in and out of the school building. Santman says that’s normal for her and other parents.

“It's the middle of the day, so you don't think anyone's going to be in your car or watching when people are around," Santman said.

But police say that’s just what the thieves are looking for, and they’re reminding everyone to lock cars and don’t leave valuables visible.

The school district is echoing that message in the notice sent to parents, saying, “We urge parents to lock car doors, take or hide valuables, and be aware of their surroundings. It's obvious these criminals are watching parents leave their vehicles and then looking for a smash and grab opportunity.”

Police have surveillance video from Elsass Academy on RM 2244—a pre-school right next door to Eanes Elementary.

The video shows a silver Chevy Malibu pulling into the school parking lot. The people in the car wait for a parent to go inside, then someone checks to see if the doors to her vehicle were left unlocked. No luck, but they move on.

Across the parking lot the Malibu pulls up to another car. Police say this time the thieves broke a window and stole items from inside.

Police believe two to four people are working together.