'Habitual offenders' arrested during theft, police say

HOUSTON – A man and woman police are calling habitual offenders, and suspects in numerous "bank jugging" investigations, were arrested Wednesday.

The Houston Police Department said Christopher Alexander and Jacqueline Hawkins, who were parked in front of a Bank America at 3811 Washington Avenue, watched a man leave the bank and then followed him to a nearby business to target him for theft.

Police said when the victim got out of his car and went into the business, the suspects broke into the car and stole his property.

The HPD said its officers and Texas Department of Public Safety officers saw the crime as it was occurring. Alexander and Hawkins were captured and found to be in possession of narcotics and other contraband, police said.

Both suspects are charged with felony theft and burglary of a motor vehicle.

Alexander, who was out on bail from a possession of a controlled substance arrest two days earlier, was found to be in possession of crack cocaine, police said, adding that he has been charged with more than 14 felonies since 2010.

Police said Hawkins is on parole from a 2013 possession of a controlled substance case, where she was found to be in possession of crack cocaine, marijuana and codeine. Hawkins, who has more than nine felony arrests since 2002, had previously been sentenced to 15 years in prison and is on parole until 2028, police said.

Alexander and Hawkins are suspects in numerous other bank jugging investigations. Police are asking anyone who recognizes the suspects from any recent crimes to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.

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About the Author:

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.