The Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) is issuing a stern warning to residents: do not take the law into your own hands by pursuing burglars. This announcement comes in light of a series of dangerous confrontations that have taken place over the past two years. The TCSO detailed multiple instances in which residents who attempted to chase down individuals suspected of burglarizing their vehicles ended up being shot at or, in one tragic instance, killed. In a statement obtained by TCSO Sheriff Sally Hernandez advised, "there’s nothing in that car or truck more valuable than your life. Please, don’t take the risk by confronting or chasing the burglar."
Among the cases cited by TCSO, an incident occurred on April 9, 2022, where a father and son pursued a vehicle they believed belonged to the burglars who had attempted to rob their vehicle. During the confrontation, the son, a Hispanic man in his 20s, was shot in the head but survived. The alleged perpetrator, Jesus Nicholson Rodriguez, was apprehended and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Fast-forward to May 20, a man in his 40s was not so fortunate, encountering his end on Amarillo Ave after confronting a burglar that TCSO later identified as William Jewel Daniels, now charged with Murder.
It's evident the urge to protect one's property can be overwhelming, but the array of recent cases accentuates the perils inherent in such reactive measures. Tips released by TCSO highlight preventative measures such as parking in well-lit areas, locking all doors, ensuring that no keys are left in the vehicle, and keeping valuables out of sight or with you. Additionally, the importance of secure storage for weapons left in vehicles was stressed, noting that many weapons used in armed burglaries are often stolen from cars and trucks.
The TCSO is dedicated to community safety and emphasizes that the best course of action when witnessing a vehicle burglary is to stay safe and contact authorities. They urge residents to act as vigilant witnesses, committing to memory of suspect descriptions, vehicle details, and any license plate information, which can be invaluable to law enforcement. According to a statement from the TCSO press release, "The vast majority of vehicle burglary cases we work involve people who left their vehicle unlocked. Please be diligent and lock your doors."
