WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, Texas – Police in West University Place are working to cut down on a rash of crimes.
Saia Perry said she had just finished unloading groceries at her home on Community Drive near Sunset Boulevard in West University when she became a victim.
"If they have the guts to come through the garage and get that close to us, I was just in the living room about 10 feet away," said Perry.
She left her garage open after unloading groceries and the robber stole her purse and other valuables from her Porsche SUV.
"Very violated and frustrated and once you hear all of your neighbors are being hit... you have to think there are people watching and waiting to attack, so it's very frustrating," Perry said.
According to the West University Place police, there has been a major uptick in car break-ins on Community Drive and surrounding streets.
Investigators said crooks have hit more than a half dozen cars or garages in the past few weeks.
One of the biggest concerns? What was stolen out of two cars. Police said two guns were stolen out of parked cars in the neighborhood.
"We have had a couple of firearms have been taken from some of the vehicles. And the methodology in which the burglaries have been done. Not only are unlocked cars targeted but smashed windows. The suspects are smashing windows as well," said West University Place police Detective Phil Clark.
Police said they are also looking for the people who are posing as tree trimmers but are really robbers.
Investigators said a couple of suspects are pretending to be tree trimmers and when the homeowner walks them around to the backyard, another suspect goes in through a door in the front and steals cash and jewelry.
Investigators are working to come up with a description of the people responsible.