Staff report

Quick actions from a Kyle resident Sunday led to the arrest of two teenagers who were charged with burglary of a vehicle after they led police on a brief chase.

According to a city of Kyle press release, Kyle Police Department officers were dispatched to the Spring Branch subdivision shortly after 3 a.m. May 22 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. The resident then called 911. 

Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett, who was earlier on the scene of a fatal crash along Interstate 35, was patrolling the neighborhoods near downtown Kyle when he heard the call about the possible burglars.

Barnett, according to the release, 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 miles per hour. 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. The two juveniles were booked in the Hays County Juvenile Detention Center. 

“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.”

Barnett said Kyle Police 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. 

Kyle Police 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 said residents should lock 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.

Barnett said anyone with additional information should contact Kyle Police at
512-268-3232.