Brownwood Police have been kept busy with reports of burglaries of vehicles and stolen vehicles in the last several weeks; one case resulted in two arrests early Wednesday morning as Border Patrol caught two stolen vehicles trying to cross into Mexico.

A call was received in the Brownwood emergency dispatch center at approximately 6:30 am Wednesday morning requesting assistance of a Brownwood Police officer to go by a residence on Arrowhead Drive to ask the owner if a 2006 Nissan Armada, which was being detained, was stolen.   An officer was dispatched and shortly after the initial call, the owner had reported the vehicle stolen.  The owner did wish to pursue charges against the suspect(s).

According to the report, the officer contacted the Eagle Pass Sheriff’s Department and was advised that the Nissan had been stopped at the Mexico and Eagle Pass border crossing as it was attempting to enter Mexico.  The Nissan was driving behind a Ford F-150 that had been reported stolen out of Brownwood (from a residence on Monticello Drive) at approximately 2:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.  The EPSO officer advised that the Ford pickup had came back as stolen out of Brownwood and when the Nissan was found to also be registered out of Brownwood, it was suspected to also be stolen.

17-year-old Jared Janek was driving the Nissan and 20-year-old Brian Thomas was driving the Ford, both are from Brownwood and were the only occupants of the vehicles, according to the report.    Both were arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle according to Fuller; however it was unsure which agency Eagle Pass Sheriff’s Office or U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) will be working the case, according to the report.

According to Brownwood Assistant Chief James Fuller, burglaries and thefts of vehicles are on the rise in Brownwood and his department is concerned.

“We are concerned about these burglaries and thefts and we are taking proactive measures to investigate them,” said Fuller.

Fuller stated that this crime really illustrates the need for residents to secure valuables and vehicles.

“These vehicles were not hotwired, there were keys in the vehicles,” said Fuller.  “You have to be security conscious in this age,” Fuller stated.  “You have to take care of your belongings.”

Many of the burglaries of vehicles have also been “crimes of opportunity” according to Fuller who continued to state either valuables were in plain sight or the vehicles were left unlocked.  The public is urged to be diligent in removing their valuables from vehicles and locking vehicles every time they exit them.  Brownwood Police Department also reminds the public to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement.