SAN ANTONIO – Residents on Bent Branch Road, located on the Northwest Side of San Antonio, have been dealing with a troubling trend. For months, someone has been prowling their street, checking car door handles, rummaging through unlocked vehicles, and even stealing a truck in broad daylight.
At least seven neighbors have reported their cars being targeted. Surveillance footage has caught the culprits multiple times, and city crime statistics suggest that this issue extends beyond just one street.
Jamey Burnett, a local resident, shared his observations. “It’s been going on, I would say, six to eight months,” he said. “Some kids come through; they rifle through the doors. If you leave it unlocked, they get in and look for cash.” Burnett has installed additional security cameras aimed at his vehicles to deter future incidents.
Truck Stolen in Broad Daylight
For neighbor Frank Manicola, the situation escalated dramatically. Approximately three weeks ago, his F-250 King Ranch truck was stolen from his driveway during the day. “The guy just came up, ripped the lock off, got the computer, and drove off,” Manicola recounted.
At the time of the theft, Manicola was away on a cruise, causing a delay in providing surveillance footage to the San Antonio Police Department. He described dealing with the insurance process as “a nightmare.”
Manicola believes that increasing police patrols in residential neighborhoods could deter these break-ins. “You never see SAPD patrol in the actual streets around the neighborhoods,” he noted, emphasizing the need for more visible law enforcement.
To whoever is still checking car door handles at night, Manicola had a warning: “He’s gonna get what’s due to him pretty soon. Cause somebody’s going to catch him.”
The Numbers Tell a Bigger Story
On a broader scale, the city has reported a total of 999 offenses related to vehicle break-ins over a seven-month period. The Prue service area, which includes Bent Branch Road, ranks as the second highest in the city for these types of crimes, falling just behind the West Side.
Burnett noted an increase in police presence in recent weeks, expressing hope that this trend continues. “I’ve seen more around here, so they are patrolling a little bit more,” he said.
How to Protect Your Vehicle
San Antonio police and security experts recommend several strategies to reduce the risk of car break-ins:
- Always lock your doors and keep windows rolled up.
- Park in well-lit areas and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight.
- Consider installing a car alarm or GPS tracking system.
- Get to know your neighbors and look out for one another.
- Report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.
