FAIR OAKS RANCH, Texas — The Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department is investigating a string of vehicle thefts and burglaries. A 19-year-old male and 16-year-old male were arrested, investigators say, but police are still searching for more suspects.
Two SUVs were stolen out of Sean ODonnell’s garage in the time it took him to make a cup of coffee.
“I got up very early this morning to bring my trash out,” said ODonnell. “It was about four o'clock in the morning and there were no cars. It was very quiet, very peaceful. I walked back up this very long driveway and went back into the house to make some coffee. I put my dog in the kennel, came back out to the garage about eight minutes later... and there were no cars! I’m old, so I thought, ‘Oh s---, I must have left them in my driveway.’”
O'Donnell admits his garage door was left open and the keys were in his vehicles.
“I came out to my driveway and there are no cars there,” he said, “but I see a lot of activity going on at the end of my driveway. There were five cars and a lot of people going back and forth. It took a minute to register, but then I realized, ‘They are stealing my cars!’”
The Fair Oaks Ranch resident was shocked he didn’t hear his vehicles start. O'Donnell believes the thieves pushed his SUVs down the driveway.
“So, I bolted down at full speed,” he said. “I was about 20 feet from them and I heard the one guy say, ‘Shit! Shit! Shit!’ I said, 'You stupid m----- f-----, the cars have GPS!' They all scrambled into the cars and then all five cars went down the block at full speed.”
Police responded within minutes, according to O'Donnell, and set up roadblocks.
Two suspects were arrested within an hour. Investigators recovered one of O'Donnell’s vehicles and found his wallet in another stolen car. City officials said the 19-year-old suspect was found walking in the area with a firearm, which is believed to have been stolen.
Four vehicles were stolen and several others were burglarized in a single night, Fair Oaks Ranch police say.
“It wasn’t just the seven incidents here in Fair Oaks Ranch,” said O'Donnell. “Three Dodge Rams were stolen at Balcones Creek across the highway last night. Last week in the Dominion, there were seven instances. It’s got to be the same group.”
Fair Oaks Ranch City Manager Scott Huizenga told KENS 5 vehicle theft and burglary used to be a rare occurrence. It's now the fastest growing crime.
O'Donnell says he has lived in Fair Oaks Ranch for more than 20 years and has never fallen victim to property crime.
He said police already patrol his neighborhood several times a night.
“Don’t be stupid like I was,” said O'Donnell, reflecting on the heart-racing chase. “These guys are violent and they have no hesitation getting their creds by shooting people. Even though you think it’s safe in your garage, take your keys inside. Keep your garage shut at night.”
O'Donnell also wanted to share a message with the organized crime ring.
“If they come back again, there will be less of them,” said O'Donnell. “We know who you are, and we are going to get you.”
Investigators are looking for at least three other suspects in the case. If you know anything, call the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department at 210-698-0990.