TYLER (KYTX) - An auto burglar who could be linked to dozens of burglaries in the area, is caught on camera.
A group of Tyler homeowners say they're fed up with people violating their neighborhood, so they took action.
One Tyler homeowner has been installing game cameras, usually used for hunting, all over his neighborhood, off of Rice Road near Trenton Drive and Dorchester Drive. One of those cameras got snapshots of the thief breaking into a car on Wednesday at about 3:30 a.m.
Police suspect the man caught on camera could be behind at least 25 car burglaries in Tyler.
Mary-Baldwin Albriton was one of 15 victims this week. She says, "They took my laptop, his radar detector, and a knife that was in his glove compartment."
Stephanie Flanery's car just down the street, was broken into about a year ago.
"A camera, my husband's GPS, cash."
Victims say this thief, is on a roll.
Albriton says, "We woke up Wednesday morning, and my husband's truck had been broken into."
She and her husband are distraught over a prized possession that was taken.
"We found out that his very nice rifle had been stolen out of it, so it's just very disappointing," she says.
Disappointing, and as Flanery puts it, frightening. "It's scary if the cars are right by the house, how close these criminals are to your own children."
With concern at an all time high, neighbor Mark Lankford decided to take action.
He says, "In this case we decided, 'Hey, if game cameras work for game, why can't we do something where we can pick up license plates and so on coming into the neighborhood?'"
One camera Lankford set up for his neighbor didn't just catch a license plate. It caught a burglar in the act.
"And wallah!" Lankford says. "A week later here we are. We've got the guy, caught him red handed."
Albriton is thrilled. She says, "I think its a great idea to put the game cameras up and they're well hidden, so if someone tries to break in in our neighborhood again, they're going to get caught! I hope this guy gets caught."
Tyler Police hope the public will help them identify the man.
Don Martin with the Tyler Police Department says, "We're hoping we can find out who this person is, and get him behind bars, because I believe he'll probably be back out there doing it again."
Martin says the thief smashed in a lot of car windows, but some were unlocked. He says you always need to lock your car, even if you're running inside quickly. Also, take valuables out when you leave.
Martin also says that although using game cameras to catch criminals isn't extremely common, but it's gaining popularity. That's because they're much cheaper than other security systems or motion cameras.
If you recognize the thief or have any information about these car burglaries, call the Tyler Police Department.
