Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force

05/25/2026

Today we remember the heroes who never made it home.
Their sacrifice gave us the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Gone, but never forgotten. 🇺🇸

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

Last year, Austin made the decision to turn off its Flock camera network following a public pressure campaign built on misinformation about how the technology works. This weekend showed what that tradeoff can look like.

For nearly 24 hours, three suspects moved through Austin in stolen vehicles, carrying out a shooting spree across 12 separate locations. People were shot. Homes, apartment buildings, businesses, and fire stations were hit. Robberies and additional car thefts piled up as the suspects kept moving.

The response was massive. 200 officers, helicopter support, K9 units, a full manhunt. Even with all of that, the suspects stayed ahead of law enforcement. Then they crossed into Manor, Texas.

Manor is a city of roughly 20,000 residents with a fraction of Austin's resources. What Manor has is an active license plate recognition network and the community support to keep it running. Manor PD located the suspects almost immediately. The spree ended. Residents stayed safe.

We're grateful for the officers in both cities who worked to bring this to a close, and we're glad it's over. Austin is a great city full of people who deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods. Our hope is that stories like Manor's can help inform the conversation about what these tools actually do, and what communities lose when they're taken away.

05/14/2026

05/12/2026

Beaumont P.D. Case #2026-009126

The Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force is currently investigating the theft of a cargo trailer that occurred on May 7, 2026, at approximately 4:26 a.m.

The trailer was stolen from Tiger Rock Martial Arts, located at 3803 Calder Ave. in Beaumont, Texas.

If you recognize the vehicle involved or have any information regarding the location of the trailer, please contact Det. C.E. Andreu at (409) 730-4454 or Crime Stoppers at (409) 833-8477.

Any information could help with this investigation.

05/08/2026

🚨 TOP 5 WAYS YOU CAN PREVENT YOUR VEHICLE FROM BEING BURGLARIZED🚨

1️⃣ Lock your doors. Because apparently “trusting people” isn’t working out anymore.

2️⃣ Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. If a thief can see your stuff easier than you can find your keys, that’s a problem.

3️⃣ Park in well-lit areas. Criminals hate attention almost as much as they hate honest work.

4️⃣ Don’t leave your keys in the vehicle. Yes… people still do this. Don’t be that person.

5️⃣ Use alarms, cameras, or steering wheel locks. Make thieves move on to a vehicle that looks less annoying to steal.

🔒 If You Like It, Lock It!

05/06/2026

🚨 TOP 5 WAYS TO PREVENT CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT 🚨

Catalytic converter thefts can happen in minutes — protect your vehicle with these simple tips:

🔒 1. Park in well-lit areas or inside a garage whenever possible.

🛡️ 2. Install a catalytic converter shield or anti-theft cage.

🔧 3. Etch your VIN number onto the converter for identification.

🚨 4. Use alarms with vibration or tilt sensors to detect tampering.

📹 5. Add deterrents like cameras, motion lights, or warning decals.

Remember: Thieves look for easy targets. A few preventative steps can save you thousands in repairs and downtime.

05/05/2026

🚨 Top 5 Ways to Prevent Auto Theft 🚨

Vehicle theft is often about opportunity—don’t make it easy.

🔒 Lock it & secure your keys – Never leave keys inside, and protect keyless entry fobs.🔐 Use a steering wheel lock – A visible deterrent can send thieves elsewhere.
⚙️ Install a kill switch/immobilizer – No start, no theft.
💡 Park smart – Well-lit, high-traffic areas make a difference.
📍 Add tracking & alarms – Helps deter and recover quickly if stolen.

Protect your vehicle. Stay alert. If you like it—lock it.

04/15/2026

We still have slots available. Please contact the Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force to schedule your appointment.

🚨 FREE Catalytic Converter Etching Event 🚨

We are seeing an increase in catalytic converter thefts across Southeast Texas but here’s a simple way to help protect your vehicle.

The Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force is hosting a FREE VIN etching event to help deter theft and assist law enforcement in recovery.

🗓 Saturday, April 25, 2026

📍 2430 West Cardinal Drive, Suite C – Beaumont

📞 Call (409) 842-6341, Ext. 1530 to schedule your appointment.
-If an investigator does not answer, leave your information for a call back.

VIN etching permanently marks your catalytic converter, making it less attractive to thieves and easier to identify if stolen.

Appointments are required, so be sure to call and secure your spot!