Car break-ins on the rise in Houston
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The numbers do not lie. Thieves target more and more cars in Houston. Almost 25,000 were hit last year, up 14 percent from 2012. Houston resident Carol Bailly was one of them.
"I felt like okay, my God someone invaded my life, someone invaded my privacy," remembered Bailly. "My ID was taken, my Social Security card, my son's social security, and my debit card which was used three or four times."
Many Houstonians think their car is safe especially parked in high traffic areas. People like Barbara Pagan recall far often that is when crooks love to strike.
"It is bad out here especially now," said Pagan. "It is getting worse by the minute. Don't bring anything valuable. Leave it at home."
Paul Grant with Theft Replacement Specialists volunteered to smash through glass. He demonstration showed us in seconds, even in a busy parking lot, criminals can make off quickly.
"Whenever people say that literally I walked into the store, I came back and my car was gone. It's a true statement," said Grant. "iPads, backpacks, sunglasses, it's the simplest things. You'd be surprised what a theft would steal ... if they can get 20 dollars, 50 dollars it's worth their time."
