SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio police have recorded more than a dozen reports of car break-ins and stolen vehicles at an apartment complex just south of downtown since December. Meanwhile, upset tenants are calling on property management to improve security.
Rebecca Deiss is going on two years living at the HemisView Village apartments at 401 W. Santos Street.
“It is very nice. I am from Minnesota. I do like the River Walk and things like that,” Deiss said.
But Deiss is not a fan of hearing about the rash of car break-ins occurring at the place she calls home.
On Friday afternoon, Deiss came across quite the unfortunate surprise once again.
“I go out to the parking ramp and the car’s gone. It’s the same car, second time and it is a Hyundai Elantra, which is easy to take that’s what they’re saying,” Deiss said.
Law enforcement nationwide have responded to the popular trend of Hyundai and Kia vehicles being targeted by car thieves. In many cases, the alleged perpetrators brag about their activities on social media apps like TikTok and Instagram.
SAPD officials have said in the past, thieves utilize USB cords to gain access to operating such vehicles. Hyundai and Kia have promoted the opportunity for drivers to get free software upgrades at dealerships to prevent theft.
Deiss is now car-less once again, waiting for police to call her with good news that the Hyundai Elantra was found.
“Now we’re without a vehicle. It’s just delaying us. It’s pushing us back. I’m walking to the store to get groceries now,” Deiss said.
Information provided by SAPD revealed over a dozen incident reports of burglary vehicle, theft of vehicle and theft at HemisView Village in December 2023. Each month prior to December recorded at least three such incidents.
Rosa Almanza, who lives at the Refugio Place apartments next door to HemisView Village, isn’t worried about her being targeted.
“I have a 2007 Toyota Corolla limited edition 5-speed. Nobody bothers that,” Almanza said.
But she does worry for everyone else, especially those who’ve been victimized more than once. Almanza and Deiss hope management acts soon to address the ongoing problem.
“I thought that SAPD were the security because they’re always out here,” Almanza said.
“There’s no security to stop them from going into the garage. We pay good money to live here and they should really do something about it,” Deiss said.
A representative with Willow Bridge Property Company, which manages HemisView Village and Refugio Place, told KENS 5 they are working with local authorities and communicating with tenants regarding efforts to enhance security. The representative noted the goal is to fix the gate system within the next few months.