A woman is on edge tonight after a recent shopping trip at the Galleria turned into a nightmare.
Sylvia Escobedo told KPRC 2 she believes she was targeted by thieves who followed her from the mall to a nearby restaurant and shopping strip, where her car was broken into, and thousands of dollars’ worth of items and family heirlooms were stolen.
Escobedo, said her BMW SUV’s back window was shattered in the Uptown Park parking lot where she had been dining with her family after shopping, and purchasing brand new handbags at the Galleria.
Her BMW captured images of the thief in action.
“The alarm went off at 7:13 p.m., which is the time I arrived at the table with my family,” Escobedo said. She suspects someone was watching her at the mall, as her two large, brand-new shopping bags were hidden in the trunk.
Escobedo said thieves also stole unreplaceable family treasures.
“Things from my family, family heirlooms from my family that I was supposed to give to my sister,” Escobedo said.
Escobedo noted that none of the other cars in the busy Uptown Park area were broken into, leading her to believe she was specifically targeted. She now hopes Houston police can use the images to track down the person responsible.
Sgt. Tracy Hicks of the HPD Auto Theft Crimes Task Force explained that this type of crime, has become more common. “Crooks have learned to work smarter, not harder,” Hicks said. “They’re following from the banks, ATM machines, and high-end stores.”
To protect themselves, shoppers are advised to take expensive purchases directly home. “If you suspect you’re being followed,” Hicks recommends, “take an extra lap around your block and call 911 to report the vehicle.”
If you have any information on the person seen in the video or the items stolen, you are asked to contact the Houston Police Department.