Car break-ins on the rise in Blanco

BLANCO, Texas (KXAN) - Blanco, small town of just 9,000 west of Austin, had an average of one car burglary every two days during the month of November.

The cars were broken into in Downtown Blanco, in residential areas and in the parking lot of an area high school.

Mary Malone-- a 30 year resident of Blanco-- isn't letting the burglaries in the area stop her from driving downtown to eat.

"There's break-ins everywhere," said Malone.  "You can't let violence keep you from your normal life."

Patrick Manning is used to the secure life in Blanco and usually leaves his van unlocked.

But 14 car burglaries in less than a month have him adjusting.

"I'm a little more cautious," said Manning.  "I'll lock my van even if I am at home, especially if I have something in it."

Police say these burglars are breaking into cars and taking anything they can get their hands on--including wallets, phones and anything else in plain sight."

Blanco is a city that usually sees little to no crime. Last November zero car burglaries were reported and only two residential burglaries.

But add up the break-ins, plus two bank robberies in the county this fall and investigators are warning citizens to keep a watchful eye.

"I don't like it, I don't like it at all." said Carl Bragg, assistant police chief.

Bragg blames the crime spurt on the county's poor economy and Blanco's location.

"We've got a major highway going through here," said Bragg.  "We got easy access in and easy access out."

And in downtown Blanco, it's business as usual for shop owners, who are hoping for a busy holiday season free of thieves.

"No, I don't feel like it will impact our business at all," said Jan Brieger, a Blanco business owner.  "I'm not worried, I park out back."

Blanco police believe groups of burglars are targeting cars.

Investigators are following up on a few leads but no arrests have been made.

Bragg is asking all motorists to take note of the burglaries and follow these tips to avoid a break-in:

*Lock your car doors

*Place valuable items in the trunk or out-of-sight

*Park in well-lit, populated areas

*Park in a garage if you have one

*Install an alarm system that will sound when an intruder breaks-in

*Check your vehicle if you hear the alarm sound.

*Roll your windows up all the way

*Do not leave spare keys in your car

*Report break-ins to police immediately