Georgetown police are working to untangle a weekend crime spree after 20 vehicle burglaries across several neighborhoods left seven firearms missing and a lot of residents on edge.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators shows two masked suspects already armed as they move through the area, the department said. The late-night break-ins were reported in the Village, Fairhaven, Teravista and Summercrest neighborhoods.
According to Fox 7 Austin, officers say six of the vehicles hit in the spree were locked, six were unlocked, and, in eight cases, investigators have not yet determined whether the doors were secured. Police are canvassing the affected neighborhoods and asking residents to comb through their own surveillance footage and report anything that looks useful. So far, no arrests have been announced.
The Georgetown Police Department stressed that this is exactly the kind of outcome they have been trying to prevent. "For several years, we have consistently asked our community to lock vehicle doors, remove keys, and secure valuables," the department wrote in a post, as reported by Fox 7 Austin. Police also warned that leaving a firearm unsecured in a vehicle can put both gun owners and neighbors at risk and again asked anyone with footage or information to contact investigators.
Why stolen guns matter
Guns taken from cars are a leading source of stolen firearms across the country, and they do not just vanish into thin air. An analysis by Everytown for Gun Safety found that the rate of guns stolen from vehicles has roughly tripled over the past decade and estimated that, in cities reporting to the FBI, at least one firearm is taken from a car every nine minutes. The Associated Press and other outlets have reported that weapons stolen from vehicles frequently turn up later in violent crimes.
How to protect your vehicle and weapons
Federal guidance is blunt on one key point: your car is not secure gun storage. Officials say owners should remove firearms from vehicles whenever possible rather than treat the back seat like a safe.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives recommends using a lockbox or other secure storage device and cautions that glove compartments and center consoles are not reliable protection. The agency also advises returning firearms to a secured home safe as soon as practicable and offers tips for temporary vehicle storage for those moments when a gun truly cannot be brought inside.
As Georgetown police continue their investigation, they are again urging residents in the Village, Fairhaven, Teravista, Summercrest, and surrounding areas to review home security and doorbell camera footage and to share any clips that might help identify the suspects.
Anyone with surveillance video or information about the break-ins is asked to contact the Georgetown Police Department as the probe continues. This story will be updated as officials release more details.
