FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – The Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for help catching thieves who are breaking into vehicles in day care center parking lots.
Authorities said seven cases have been linked to at least one or more suspects.
The thieves watch for parents who take their children into day care centers, then break into the vehicle and grab purses and other items left in the vehicles while the parents are inside the day cares.
Investigators said purses are the main target, and in some cases credit cards were used to fraudulently acquire cash from banks.
The first burglary was reported Aug. 21 at The Learning Center, in the 3700 block of S. Mason Road in the Katy area.
The other incidents reported:
- Aug. 24 -- Ivy Kids, 19919 Lakemont Bend Lane in the Richmond area
- Aug. 24 -- Primrose School of West Cinco Ranch, 26800 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in the Katy area
- Aug. 26 -- St. Thomas Church Day Care Center, 12627 W. Bellfort St. in the Sugar Land area
- Aug. 31 -- Children's Learning Adventure, 24224 Cinco Terrace Drive in the Katy area
- Aug. 31 -- Kids R Kids, 4515 FM 1463 in the Katy area
- Sept. 2 -- Ivy Kids, 27270 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in the Katy area.
Investigators said in all but two cases the suspects were able to get into the vehicles by breaking windows.
Witnesses described black males in a maroon vehicle at one of the locations.
Video captured one of the suspects in what appears to be a late model maroon Dodge or Hyundai Sonata.
He is described as being thin and about 5 feet, 10 inches tall. He was wearing a white T-shirt, gray workout pants, and black and gray sneakers. He also had closely cropped black hair.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at 281-342-TIPS (8477).
Information that leads to the apprehension and filing of charges on the perpetrators involved could earn a cash reward up to $5,000.