Local law enforcement investigating recent motor vehicle thefts

The Shiner Police Department is working with Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office and other area law enforcement agencies investigating the recent thefts of motor vehicles.  
In the early morning hours of January 15, a white Ford F250 was taken from the 100 block of N. Ave. F in Shiner.  A white Ford F150 truck was stolen on January 31 from the 400 block of N. Ave. G and on February 4,  a white Ford F250 truck was stolen from the 1000 block of S. Peck St.  A firearm was reportedly stolen from another truck parked on Peck St. During the same time, several other Ford trucks were reported stolen in Lavaca County.  
In all but one of the cases, the vehicle owners reported leaving their trucks unlocked with the keys inside. After stealing the trucks, the suspects disabled or attempted to disable the GPS systems. The suspects made entry into several other unlocked trucks, but nothing was reported to be missing.  
Most of the thefts occurred between midnight and 4 a.m. and involve at least three or more suspects.
Law enforcement believes that the suspects are part of a large, organized theft ring operating on behalf of Mexican drug cartels. Most of the stolen vehicles have been recovered in remote areas of Gonzales and Lavaca Counties as well as other counties in Texas.
Victoria County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene technicians have also assisted the Shiner Police Department in processing recovered evidence.
Residents are encouraged to remove valuables from their vehicles, lock and remove the keys. Anyone seeing suspicious activity or that has video evidence should contact the law enforcement agency in their area.