📰 Inside the Investigation: Flashmob thefts, student truancy, and metal thieves impacting communication lines

HOUSTON, Texas – Hey, crime lovers — we’re back for the second week! 👀🔍

Can you believe it’s already a new month? We’re buzzing with excitement to dive into fresh investigations just for you! 🎉

Last week, we dished out some juicy stories, like the truancy drama unfolding in Houston ISD and across Texas, plus the scoop on a Fort Bend County Judge who’s in hot water. 🔍

But hold onto your hats, because this week, we’ve got even more thrilling stories coming your way.

Let’s get into it! 📰✨

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🔦 IN THE SPOTLIGHT: What’s Unfolding Today

Get the scoop on the latest investigation shaking up Houston.

Have you caught those wild videos of flashmob shoplifters storming stores, grabbing armfuls of goodies, and dashing out without a second thought? It’s happening at a jaw-dropping rate here in Texas, according to the Texas Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Task Force.

We’ve dug into how this shoplifting spree could be hitting your wallet, and let’s just say, the findings are eye-opening... at least for me! 😲

• From stores to your wallet: Understanding the financial effects of the shoplifting surge in Texas

Tonight at 6 p.m., join 2 Investigates reporter Amy Davis as she dives into how Lululemon’s “booster” shoplifting is inviting crime into our communities. Imagine the shock of seeing these thefts unfold in popular clothing stores right in the heart of Houston neighborhoods. 🏙️

Amy’s on the case, uncovering how these “boosters” are brazenly walking in with bags and walking out with thousands in merchandise. It’s happened 50 times at just three stores over six months! 😱

Why aren’t employees stepping in more? What’s fueling this frequent crime wave? Amy’s got the scoop on this safety issue that’s got many of you concerned and seeking answers. (Plus, you won’t want to miss the jaw-dropping footage we’ve collected!)

Have you witnessed this chaos? Share your stories with us at aslaydon@kprc.com or adavis@kprc.com .

💥 Throwback Truth: The Investigations That Keep Echoing

Last week, we took a deep dive into the issue of truancy and chronic absenteeism plaguing Texas schools. It’s a topic we’ve tackled before, breaking down what these terms mean and why they stubbornly persist in our school districts.

• Truancy, chronic absenteeism bills move forward in Texas Legislature

Back in February, our 2 Investigates reporter Robert Arnold unearthed something shocking: the Houston Independent School District reported zero truancy prevention efforts and zero complaints filed against parents or guardians. That’s right, zero! 😮 And HISD wasn’t alone in this.

• What are Houston schools facing when it comes to chronically truant students?

When Robert sifted through state data from the Texas Education Agency, he discovered that about 13-14% of Texas school districts reported no prevention efforts over the last four school years. Even more startling? Each year, 60-64% of districts reported more truancy cases than prevention efforts. This glaring disconnect caught the TEA’s attention, prompting them to launch their own investigation into the numbers. 📊

• Chronic absenteeism continues to be a problem at schools in Houston area. How lawmakers are trying to combat the issue

Then, the calls from our viewers started pouring in. They shared stories about areas around Houston where students routinely skip school. So, Robert hit the streets—literally. Check out surveillance footage from one of these hotspots, where students are caught fighting, smoking, skipping class, and even carrying illegal firearms.

• Kids leaving HISD campus, violent confrontations has north side residents worried

Hey, Cy-Fair community!

Let’s dive into the latest buzz surrounding Cy-Fair ISD, Texas’s third-largest school district. The district stirred up quite the controversy when its school board decided to chop out 13 chapters from state-approved textbooks. These chapters covered hot topics like climate change, vaccines, and diversity.

Superintendent Dr. Douglas Killian wasn’t completely on board with the decision either. Some folks are all for the revisions, hoping to shield kids from what they see as misinformation. Meanwhile, others, including a future doctor in the making, worry about missing out on crucial educational content.

Teachers are feeling the pinch, too. They’re scrambling to use supplemental materials to meet state-mandated standards, and it’s causing quite a bit of frustration over the lack of resources. 📚

On Monday, Joel Eisenbaum gathered insights from both sides of the debate. Check it out here:

• Cy-Fair ISD’s school board removed chapters in books on climate change, vaccines, and diversity despite state approval 

To get a clearer picture of what’s going on, we examined the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the academic standards that shape lessons and standardized tests in Texas public schools.

The State Board of Education and the Texas Education Agency are responsible for implementing TEKS, ensuring all students have equal learning opportunities and are held accountable through assessments like the STAAR test. TEKS aims to equip students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need for future success.

• What are the TEKS, and why should you care?

🔍 ON THE TRAIL: What We’re Digging Into Next

A sneak peek at the stories we’re chasing — and why you’ll want to stay tuned in.

KPRC 2 Investigator Robert Arnold takes a closer look at the growing crime of communication line theft and damage in the Houston area, a trend impacting everything from remote work and prescription access to emergency 911 calls.

2 Investigates has already shown you the efforts to crack down on this crime. Now, we’re speaking with newly elected Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare about how his office plans to tackle the issue.

“This was really a no-brainer for me, to get out there and let people know that we are aggressively going to prosecute people that commit this crime because it’s not just stealing,” said Teare.

• Metal thieves impacting everything from emergency communications to getting prescriptions filled

On Friday, we’ll lay out Teare’s plan to prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law.