Two pickup trucks were stolen in the early morning hours Monday in Tarkington and both thefts could have been avoided with a little more vigilance, according to Liberty County Pct. 5 Constable David Hunter.
The thefts are believed to have occurred between the hours of 3 and 4 a.m. The trucks were taken from two properties in close proximity – one on CR 2209 and the other on FM 2518.
“Both were new trucks – a Toyota Tundra and a Dodge diesel pickup. One of the vehicles had two guns and some cash inside,” Hunter said. “Both vehicles were unlocked and had the key pods in them. They had everything they needed to just drive them away.”
The constable is noticeably concerned.
“After all these Crime Watch speeches I’ve given, people are still leaving their keys in their vehicles and not locking up their valuables. Thieves cannot steal newer model vehicles without a key pod unless they hook them up to a wrecker and take off. Both of these trucks were unlocked,” the constable said.
Hunter said that residents appear to have become lax as crime in the Tarkington area has been on a decline. With 210 square miles to patrol, Hunter and his patrol deputy have a lot of ground to cover.
“Lock your vehicles. Take your valuables out. These are the times we live in, even in Tarkington,” he said. “There aren’t enough law enforcement officers to go around, so we need the public’s help.”
Aside from locking their vehicles and removing valuables, Hunter said citizens can help law enforcement watching for suspicious vehicles and reporting them by calling 911.
Hunter has identified one vehicle that might be related to the auto thefts. It is described as an older model white Ford pickup, possibly with an extended cab. Anyone with information about that vehicle should call the constable’s office at 281-593-3189 or the sheriff’s office at 936-336-4500.