Disabled veteran vehicles targeted in Hays County burglaries

Law enforcement in Hays County are warning residents about a rise in vehicle burglaries targeting disabled veteran license plates, after investigators identified a regional trend.

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office shared on social media that "auto crime" investigators have been working multiple burglary cases in the Buda area and believe suspects are specifically selecting vehicles with Disabled Veteran plates, perhaps under the assumption that veterans' vehicles are more likely to contain firearms.

"Similar cases by neighboring agencies suggest this a regional trend that we hope to curb in other Hays County communities," the post read.

Law enforcement urged gun owners to avoid leaving firearms unattended inside vehicles, even when locked.

Entering a vehicle with intent to commit a crime is a criminal offense, regardless of whether any property is actually stolen.

Residents who believe their vehicle was burglarized are encouraged to file a report to help authorities track crime patterns and allocate the appropriate resources.