5 youths arrested after latest crime spree in Hutto

HUTTON, Texas – Hutto police have arrested five youths accused of a series of crimes.

Investigators believe the group broke into several cars and is connected to the theft of two vehicles from Austin.

On Monday, September 2nd, at around 1:40 a.m., Hutto Police were called to the Glenwood neighborhood for nearly 10 car break-ins.

“One of our citizens had seen on the camera system that there was a group of kids running down the street trying car door handles. So we were dispatched there. They called us immediately, which played a big part in us being able to get there so quickly,” said Lt. Nate Spraggins of the Hutto Police Department.

Officers said they found three of the five teenagers upon their arrival.

“We began conversations to find out why they were in the area, and while we were talking to the three juveniles, two other individuals were observed. They said they did not know each other,” says Lt. Nate Spraggins.

According to police, the teenagers knew each other and during a search, officers found stolen items in their possession.

“Wallets were stolen, chains, a set of car keys, an iPad and a number of searched papers, and I believe a laptop was stolen as well. We noticed items lying around on the lawns in the neighborhood. Some of them had car keys on them that did not belong to their car,” said Lt. Nate Spraggins.

Hutto police said they were able to confirm that the teens were at the crime scenes based on footage from homes in the area.

“Fortunately, we were able to catch them before they could leave the area. We were able to recover a lot of property and the next morning found vehicles that had been reported stolen in Austin and basically linked them together,” says Lt. Nate Spraggins.

According to police, there have been nearly 50 car break-ins in the last six months, but vehicle thefts are not common.

“Our community is fed up with the car thefts and they want us to catch them. So when they call us, we go out there, pursue you and basically do whatever we can to apprehend you,” says Lt. Nate Spraggins.

According to police, none of the break-ins were forced entry. Residents are asked to lock their doors and bring their valuables into the house.