Harris County Precinct 4 deputies stopping thieves before they strike

HOUSTON - It's that time of year. Thieves are targeting shoppers who leave bags or electronics in their vehicle. We caught on camera some who were peering into parked cars in shopping centers on Thursday afternoon.

Fortunately, it was actually the good guys we caught up with.

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Hundreds of Harris County Precinct 4 deputies are saturating shopping areas and parking lots to protect patrons from the bad guys who are preying on people who leave valuables in their vehicles.

Actually, since starting this shopping safety awareness campaign, Precinct 4 has caught several thieves, but also busted a number of others accused of committing crimes behind the wheel.

"Last week, we made ten DWI arrests within a 4-day period. That is all part of this initiative," explains Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman.

"This is one of the busiest shopping districts. It's part of the initiative. It's prone to a lot of cars being broken into," Precinct 4 Capt. Garcia explains pointing out a Northwest Harris County retail parking lot.

"Crime right now, during this time of the year, goes up, always. Today, we'll begin a push of informing folks on crime prevention tips on what they can do to be safe," the Constable added.

"How you doing, ma'am? We're doing a holiday initiative," Precinct 4 Sgt. Garrett Lindley says to a shopper as he approaches.

"We're handing out these pamphlets to keep you aware of what is the best safety option," Pct. 4 Deputy Marceylene Castillow-Morris tells a shopper before she gets out of her pick-up truck.

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The deputies aren't only giving pamphlets to shoppers, they're also looking in parked vehicles and leaving drivers a note if bags, electronics, packages or purses are left in plain sight. 

"We're looking at cars and going through our safety checklist. This person left their car running," says Sgt. Lindley pointing out an SUV with the engine still running and no driver or passenger in sight.  

"On this one, it didn't pass because there's a checkered backpack purse on the backseat," Dep. Castillow-Morris points out.

"They'll be looking for packages in the vehicle sitting in plain view. These criminals they're lazy. They don't want to get out and work. It's easier for them to go out and thieve," Herman said.

One shopper, Scott, who's out with his daughter, has this advice. "Never leave anything in your vehicle or put it in your trunk where they can't see it."

After minutes of peering into parked cars, how did these Houston shoppers do?

"Overall, they did not pass. The cars, we went in a straight row. I'd say about 70% of them failed because they had visible valuables," the deputies explained.

"These deputies will be assigned specific areas of retail shopping areas. They will be patrolling through those areas looking for suspected criminals. They will be interacting with our citizens through the New Year," Herman explained.

"You guys be safe and happy holidays," Dep. Castillow-Morris smiles after chatting with shoppers about safety tips.

On Thursday, it was deputies out giving grades and leaving notes on vehicles for drivers who left bags, electronics or purses in plain sight. But they want to remind you next time, it could be someone with bad intentions as thieves are out shopping this holiday season, but they're not going into stores for goodies. They steal items left in parked cars, and it typically takes just a few seconds for valuables to vanish.