Highland Street Truck Thieves Caught Thanks to AirTag and Constable Patrol

Reader’s Story Contribution By Anne Galbraith

We've been collecting stories about how the WHCA Constable Patrol impacts the neighborhood. Here is one from a neighbor on Highland, who, after multiple stolen trucks on that street, followed her neighbor's lead, signed up for the Constable Patrol, and invested in an AirTag as well.

"YEAH, SO THE F150 GOT STOLEN. Second truck now. They got in via an iPad, and an app that runs code until it hits your truck, then pulled that wire on the last photo, and recoded the ignition so they could drive it. My key no longer worked. I tracked this one with the AirTag I had hidden in the truck. I gave the constables the location; they were parked there waiting for us. The thieves parked it before the next crew of a**holes picked it up. It looks like kill switches are about to be installed in both trucks," - Anne Gallbraith.

One other suggestion from Anne is, "Report street lights that are dead. The one outside of our house has been dark for months. EVERYONE should check their poles with street lights to ensure they are lit. Get the pole number that is tagged onto the pole and report the outage via a call to CenterPoint or by using their online portal at https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/pages/changeservicearea.aspx?requesturl=/en-us/residential/services/electric-utility/outage-center/street-light-outages."

And the WHCA Constable provided follow up after the incident, stopping by to personally meet with Anne regarding the incident and how to be pro-active about safety,

“We discussed different ways to keep the neighborhood aware of criminal activity in order to protect ourselves and others. He was very motivated and responsive!”

WHCA Constable Patrol Activity Report Working Diligently to Keep Woodland Heights Safe

Hi Woodland Heights neighbors,
Here’s our most recent security report. As always, we want to keep our community informed and safe. Friendly reminder, please call the Constable Dispatch line at (713) 755-7628 to report any suspicious activity or incidents, even if they seem minor—like a wagon or package stolen, or cars being rummaged through. Reporting helps the Deputies identify patterns and know if similar incidents are happening repeatedly in our area. Even small reports help paint a bigger picture.

Please note: We've seen an increase in truck thefts in our neighborhood, as well as across the Houston Heights area.

Helpful Tips to Prevent Truck Theft (and theft from trucks):

1. Always lock your doors – Even in your driveway.

2. Remove valuables – Don’t leave bags, tools, or electronics visible inside.

3. Hide or remove key fobs – Thieves often target trucks with push-button start and nearby key fobs.

4. Use a steering wheel lock – A simple but strong visual deterrent.

5. Consider GPS tracking, a kill switch, or a hidden AirTag – AirTags have recently helped recover two stolen trucks in Woodland Heights. 

6. Park smart – If possible, park in well-lit areas or in a garage. Backing into your driveway can also make theft harder.

7. Install security cameras or motion lights – These are a great deterrent and can help capture important footage.

Thanks to everyone for staying alert and keeping Woodland Heights a safe and connected community!