Three arrests, five property crimes in busy week

Last week Lytle PD officers handled fifty-five calls for service and conducted forty-seven traffic stops. We issued thirty-eight citations and nine warnings. We had three arrests and reports of five property crimes.
The arrests: #1 – We started the week early (1 AM on Monday). A 19-year-old male was arrested after he took a family member’s vehicle without their permission. The vehicle was recovered, and the suspect was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail. I have heard that Santa knows if you have been naughty or nice. I would say this guy ended up on two naughty lists, Santa’s, and the family members whose car he stole. #2 – A male suspect was cited for a theft at H.E.B. Plus that occurred a couple of weeks ago. He had made off with some kitty litter, body wash and some other stuff. It was a rather odd assortment. We had a vehicle license and some good camera footage; it just took a little while to put it all together. #3 – A traffic stop on Main St. resulted in an arrest for a felony dope warrant out of Bexar Co. The driver was issued a couple of citations and then booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail.
Time for the property crimes: #1- Some damage was done to a 2019 Dodge P/U, it appeared somebody might have tried to break into it or steal it while it was parked at the hotel. #2 – Officers were dispatched to Dollar General for a theft, upon arrival we were unable to determine if a theft occurred. So, technically I will call this a “possible” property crime. #3 – A Newton St. resident reported a bicycle valued at $300 was taken from their house. #4 – A vehicle parked at the H.E.B. Plus was burglarized; somebody stole the battery out of it. Somebody needed a battery; it was late at night, so all the auto part stores were closed. I have always said you can get just about anything you need at H.E.B. Plus. #5 – Another vehicle burglary, this time the location was near the RailHead Café. A small bag of misc. hand tools was taken from an unlocked vehicle.
So that is a wrap for the arrests and property crimes.
The big event this week was the Christmas Hayride, it went off without a glitch. I am being told that there were about nine hundred participants. Not a record turnout, but a substantial number for sure. The weather was great once the sun went down. Nobody fell off and a lot of food was collected for those in need. It was a win/win situation. A special thank you to all the volunteers that make this event happen. I am looking forward to a little break in special events; parades, Halloween and hayrides are fun but as I get older, I seem to like just old normal days.
We saw a little of it this week, a few thefts. For some reason, as we getter closer to Christmas we usually see a little uptick in thefts and burglaries. One big reason, in my opinion, is people are especially busy and are easily distracted with everything going on. So that means we become more careless and leave our vehicle unlocked, maybe with some valuables inside. We are less in tune with what’s going on around us and more focused on completing our gift list and doing our Christmas stuff. That is the reason I don’t buy gifts for anybody; I don’t want to get distracted and become a victim of crime….and y’all thought I was a just a cheapskate.