NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — The New Braunfels Police Department is asking for help in locating people involved in two burglaries, which they think could be connected.
One of the burglaries happened at the Holy Smokes Vape Shop on Commerce Street in January. The other happened at a neighborhood off of Conrads Ln, in September.
"A lot of times it may be the same individuals and the people that may be committing crimes here in New Braunfels are likely the same people committing them in San Antonio and Austin and other areas," said Captain Michael Penshorn with the New Braunfels Police Department.
Mikayla Cantu works nearby the vape shop. One month later, she explained they're still worried.
"There was a worry, initial worry at first of, oh my gosh, that could have been us,” she said. "I know there is slight concern for sure, especially like we had mentioned, like we're a group, a crew is all girls. There's five girl workers. So yeah, to hear that there is men was a little worrisome."
While the New Braunfels Police Department does have surveillance video, Penshorn says it's sometimes not enough.
"One of the biggest issues that we actually run into is most businesses have some type of surveillance video. But a lot of times it's not very good quality," he said.
Oftentimes, he explained it's a crime of opportunity and a reminder for the community to stay vigilant.
"A lot of times, it has a lot to do with how secure the business is," Penshorn said. "If you have caging in front of the windows where it's going to be rather difficult to break in compared to just a glass plain, then when you throw a rock through when you're in, obviously they're going to go for the easier target. Any precautions that a person that maybe lives in San Antonio or Austin, they should be taking those same precautions here because you just as easily could become a victim of crime here as well."
The Comal County Crime Stoppers are offering a reward of up to $4,000 for information that leads to an arrest and/or grand jury indictment.
To remain anonymous and to collect the reward, contact Crime Stoppers at 830-620-TIPS (8477), leave a tip online at http://comalcrimestoppers.org/, or send a tip using the “P3 Tips” smartphone app available on iOS and Android devices.