Kyle Police Arrest Two 15-Year-Olds For Vehicle Burglary

Quick action by a local citizen led to the arrest of two teenage males who have been charged with burglary of a vehicle. The driver was also charged with numerous traffic violations following a brief chase.

Shortly after 3 a.m. on May 22, Kyle Police officers were dispatched to the Spring Branch community following a report of juveniles looking in vehicle windows in driveways and possibly pulling door handles. When spotted by a local resident, the juveniles fled the neighborhood in two separate vehicles.  That resident called 911.

Chief Jeff Barnett, who was earlier on the scene of a fatal crash, was patrolling the neighborhoods near downtown Kyle when he heard the call about the possible burglars. He observed the cars leaving the Spring Branch area and quick turned around to stop them. The two cars sped immediately away, at times exceeding 100 mph. Barnett said the driver of one of the vehicles realized he wasn’t going to get away and pulled over near 7-11. The other car continued to north towards Austin.

Barnett and another officer detained two 15-year-old males from Austin after observing stolen items in the car.

The driver, who does not have a license, was charged with numerous traffic violations and burglary of vehicles, while the passenger was also charged with burglary of a vehicle.

“We believe that several items in the car were there to assist them in their crime spree,” Barnett said. “We found gloves, flashlights, bandannas, screwdrivers, knives, and two way radios for communication.”

The two juveniles were booked in the Hays County Juvenile Detention Center.

Barnett said KPD now has information on the other individuals who fled in the second vehicle. He said it appears those suspects live in Austin.

“We are pursuing those leads,” he said.

The recovered stolen items were returned to their respective owners, according to Barnett.

KPD officers returned to the Spring Branch community and found several vehicles that been opened and rummaged through; however, no other items were reported as stolen by the vehicle owners.

Barnett reminds Kyle residents to look their vehicle doors and take valuables inside. He also praised the quick action of the resident who saw the burglars.

“We appreciate the fast call from the citizen that alerted us to the juveniles in the area,” he said.

He added that anyone with additional information should contact Kyle Police at 512-268-3232.