Lubbock resident Joseph McGranahan said he’s frustrated that burglars have broken into his car three times since August, despite his house having home security cameras.
“They stole my car the first time. We put the cameras up two days later,” McGranahan said. “About four to five days later, they tried to steal the rental car, and now they’re trying to hit the cars again.”
McGranahan lives in South Lubbock near 89th and University. He discovered through his security cameras that someone returned March 11 to go through the car. But whoever it was didn’t take anything. McGranahan said he thinks they were looking for a spare to try to steal the actual car.
“Money was in plain view. They didn’t take the money or want it. GPS was right there,” McGranahan said. “But they sure got that spare key. Little did they know it was to the old car. It was funny trying to watch them start it and it didn’t work.”
McGranahan said while watching his security cameras, it seemed they do this all the time.
“If I’m going to take somebody’s stuff, I’m going to make it fast, quick and I’m out of here,” McGranahan said. “But they took their sweet time. It’s like they’re used to it. It’s like their adrenaline doesn’t phase them anymore.”
The security footage showed McGranahan’s car was unlocked even though he thought he had locked it.
While unlocked car doors won’t necessarily stop thieves from breaking in, Lubbock Police stressed the importance of making sure your car is secure.
“This is a crime of convenience for them,” Lt. Ray Mendoza said. “They search for any vehicles that are unlocked and unsecured. They also search in eyesight, what can we see in the car immediately.”
Lt. Mendoza also said to remove all valuables from the car before leaving it out overnight in a driveway and use security cameras.
“If they make the camera visible to the suspect then that will reduce the chances of the suspects actually targeting your house or your vehicles.”
But for McGranahan, security cameras don’t seem to be helping. He said between him and his neighbors there’s 11 cameras in the neighborhood.
He said he is frustrated and hopes police will be able to catch the burglars.
