CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Police catch suspect in string of Longview car burglaries

Police catch suspect in string of Longview car burglaries

by ShaVonne Herndon

LONGVIEW (KYTX) - Longview Police say a string of car burglaries is now over. CBS 19's ShaVonne Herndon tells us who police have in custody, and what you can do to make sure your car doesn't become a target in the future.

Clifton Craver of Kilgore sits in jail tonight, charged with two counts of burglary to a motor vehicle.

"Mr. Craver has been know to our night shift officers and patrol officers that work the streets every day. He's known to them for being involved and always being in the area of vehicle burglaries," said Officer Kevin Brownlee with Longview Police.

On average this year, Longview Police are responding to four car burglaries a day.

"They've been watching Mr. Craver's activities and keeping an eye on him, but to finally catch him and get him with the stolen property and take him into custody is a big break for us," said

These are the stolen items that were recovered at Craver's home.

Police say Craver's latest victim was exercising here on a trail at Long Park, when he smashed her car window and stole her purse, credit cards and Social Security card.

"A silver Monte Carlo was the suspect vehicle, it was captured on the surveillance camera there at Long Park that records the parking lot," said Brownlee.

Although Craver has been caught police say there are more car thieves around.

"The two best things you can do to keep from becoming a victim of car burglaries is number one, lock your door and number two, don't leave portable items in your vehicle," said Brownlee.

Craver's long rap sheet shows Police that every time Craver is arrested and released, Craver allegedly gets into mischief again. CBS 19 will keep you posted on what the judge decide to do with Craver as far as his punishment, due to his criminal record.