Car burglaries prompt warning from Hollywood Park police

The Hollywood Park Police Department is reminding residents to lock their vehicles and not leave behind valuables in their vehicles.

Police Chief Shad Prichard on Feb. 9 sent an email to Hollywood Park residents about a recent spate of car burglaries and one vehicle theft. Prichard said most of the incidents occurred in the early morning hours and in the 200 block of Sequoia Drive.

“We have reason to believe it’s the same individual(s) that are committing these burglaries,” Prichard wrote. “We have video of a man, possibly early 20’s and light skinned, who was seen on a ring camera on a resident’s property in this area at 5:45 a.m. He was wearing all black with a white undershirt or hoodie. He ran from the property after the ring flood camera was activated.”

Prichard said the suspect was on foot but suggested he may have parked his vehicle outside of Hollywood Park city limits and walked into town from the Loop 1604 frontage road. He also said the suspect is mainly operating between 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

According to Prichard, the stolen vehicle contained the keys and a wallet.

“We tracked the vehicle to San Antonio after the suspect used a stolen credit card from the wallet. We found the vehicle; however, the tires and tailgate had been removed by the time we arrived,” he said.

Prichard urged residents to lock their car doors and ensure no valuable items are left inside their vehicle. He also asked residents to call the police department’s 24-hour dispatch line, 210-335-6000, in case they see any suspicious activity in and around town, especially during the early morning hours.

“They are looking for cash, wallets and anything of value they can easily grab,” Prichard said.