The number of car burglaries in The Woodlands increased 64 percent between 2008 and 2009, but the majority of the offenses still target unlocked vehicles with valuable left in plain sight, law enforcement officials say.

“Many, many times it’s simply the result of teenagers or parents who do not know where there teenagers or young adults are at,” said Lt. Dan Norris of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. “Many times, valuables are in plain sight, and vehicles are unlocked.”

The Woodlands reported 928 burglaries of motor vehicles in 2009, up from 597 recorded in 2008, according to the December 2009 community policing reports.

In 2009, the biggest area for car burglaries was in Town Center with 101 reports, followed by the Woodlands Zone 3, which includes the Texas 242 corridor and Gosling Road to the Harris County line, with 69 reports, community policing report said.

Car burglaries continue to be high in 2010, but numbers have dropped some in February, said Steve Sumner, director of law enforcement and transportation services for The Woodlands Township. There were 123 car burglaries reported in the community in January and February, compared to 150 during the same period in 2009, said Marian Leck, security manager for law enforcement services at the township.

The rise in car burglaries is attributed to many factors, including the increased population, more cars in the area, a continued prosperity in the Woodlands, multiple offenses at once and opportunity, law enforcement officials said.

“The population has increased and those multiple incidents have increased,” said Sumner, saying six burglaries were reported in one neighborhood last weekend.

Norris said the majority of the suspects that have been caught are young males, from teenagers to those in their 20s.

“For quite some time, it is not uncommon to see multiple burglaries in the same areas,” said Norris. “The suspect or suspects go from car to car to see what’s unlocked.”

Some of the suspects arrested live in The Woodlands or surrounding communities. Others are from Houston and Harris County. Sumner said there does not appear to be organized crime operating in the community, except perhaps for a recent rash of smash and grab burglaries in Town Center targeting GPS units.

To combat the increase, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is dispatching more patrols on the streets. The Woodlands is expected to have a force of 82 personnel by June and, in the meantime, extra patrols in neighborhoods and shopping centers are being funded through overtime.

“As a result of the increase in deputies funded by the township, they are certainly more proactive and more visible,” Norris said.

The township and the sheriff’s office continue to try and educate residents at village association and other meetings to keep vehicles locked and valuables out of site.

“We remind them not to be an easy target or an easy victim,” Norris said.

Car Burglaries in The Woodlands – January 2010

Following are the burglary of motor vehicles calls for January 2010. The Woodlands is currently set up in six residential zones, including Creekside Park which is covered by Harris County Precinct 4 Constable and Town Center. Some zones include parts of several villages. To see a copy of the January report and a map of the zones, visit the community policing reports at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

Total: 68
Zone 1, includes Grogan’s Mill, 11
Zone 2, includes Panther Creek and College Park, 6
Zone 3, includes College Park, Cochran’s Crossing, Indian Spring, Alden Bridge, 7
Zone 4, includes Cochran’s Crossing, Indian Springs and Alden Bridge, 6
Zone 5, includes Alden Bridge and Sterling Ridge, 32
Zone 8, includes Town Center, 6
Zone 9, includes Creekside Park, 1

Source: The Woodlands Township