HOUSTON — Houston Police put out a new warning to people on Friday to be careful of purse snatchers during the busy holiday shopping season.
Police said more than 4,000 car break-ins were reported in November and December combined in 2018.
"People just don't seem to listen," said Chief Art Acevedo. "People are carrying large sums of money and buying a lot of expensive gifts for their loved ones. Criminals are always looking for easy targets."
Friday, police patrolled a parking lot at a Houston grocery store, checking cars that make for easy targets: ones with unlocked doors, windows rolled down or personal items in plain sight.
They wrote up "report cards" for each car, identifying problems for consumers while they were inside shopping.
Police offer a number of tips:
- Do not carry more cash than necessary
- Make sure you know what's in your purse
- Carry only one credit card, just in case your purse or wallet gets stolen
- Carry a modest purse, not designer, especially one with a cross-body strap
- Do not leave purses or wallets unattended in shopping carts or in cars
- If possible, bring purchases home in between trips
Police also said more than 2,000 guns are stolen from cars every year, and bumper stickers advertising enthusiasm for firearms can be a dead giveaway.
"Do not get a false sense of security thinking that people will not break into your cars," Acevedo said. "Sooner or later, if you’re not paying attention and you’re not following these tips, it will happen to you.”
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