SUGAR LAND, Texas – A Sugar Land family is warning others to be alert after a thief stole its truck from a busy hospital parking lot in broad daylight.
It happened sometime between 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Monday at Houston Methodist Hospital's Sugar Land campus.
"We were here visiting my uncle. We came out to go home and my dad's truck had just vanished," said Stephanie, who asked that her last name not be used.
The white 2012 Chevy Silverado was gone from the spot where they had left it hours earlier.
"You feel kicked while you're already down," she said.
The Sugar Land Police Department said this was the first vehicle stolen from the hospital so far this year,. There were five vehicles stolen from the hospital parking lot in 2016.
Police Department records show the number of auto thefts in the city has increased, with 30 reported in 2015 and 49 in 2016. So far, in 2017, there have been 20 auto thefts reported.
A spokesperson for the hospital said they regret the incidents and in the last year have upgraded the security system, which including adding 30 surveillance cameras.
The hospital is also partnering with the Sugar Land Police Department to increase the number of patrols at the hospital.