Crime Spree Hits West Travis County

myfoxaustin.com (TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS)-- Travis County deputies sent out a warning to residents in several neighborhoods Tuesday after a string of burglaries and property theft crimes.

Deputies e-mailed two crime alerts Tuesday telling residents about the crime trends. Investigators named several streets in Southwest Travis County that have been hit including Towana Trail, Blue Hill Drive, Claxton Drive, Rim Rock Trail and Murmuring Creek.

Deputies also reported other burglaries in West Travis County in the Twin Creek, Deer Creek and Anderson Mill subdivisions.

"It changes the way you feel about your neighborhood," said Sascha Tunney who lives just West of the "Y" at Oakhill.

Tunny said just months ago, she was the victim of vandalism. She said someone slashed her tires. She noticed several of her neighbors were also targeted.

"It just so random and it seemed like it something that kids would do," said Tunney.

"These are targets of opportunity is what we're seeing more than anything else," said Travis County spokesman Roger Wade.

Wade said Tuesday, the criminals are working together and don't seem to be taking expensive belongings. Neighbors on Towana Drive said at least two homes have been broken into in the past two weeks in the area. Wade said the criminals are being enticed by garage doors left open and back doors unlocked.

"They're going in. Trashing the place and they're not really taking much of anything...maybe a laptop. But they're sloppy," said Tunney.

"It's very important that people call us call 911 when they see something suspicious," said Wade.

"There's a yahoo group now for the neighbors to stay in touch with each other," said Tunney.

Tunney said for now, the best way to deter the criminals is to stay informed and keep an eye out for each other. She said but first, everyone must take a serious stand against crime.

The Travis County Sheriff's Office is encouraging everyone to get signed up for crime alerts. You can do so by visiting www.citizenobserver.com