Junior High Volleyball Players Have Backpacks Stolen from Vehicle at Katy Restaurant

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

September 8, 2021

By Natalie Cook Clark

Reports of vehicle break-ins at Katy-area restaurants and businesses continue to surface in online discussion. Two West Memorial Junior High volleyball players had their backpacks stolen from the backseat of a vehicle while eating dinner at a Katy restaurant.

Glass is seen broken all over the backseat of the Stephens' vehicle. Photo courtesy: Eddie Stephens

Celebration Dinner Ends with a Break-In

It should have been an evening of celebration, but it turned into an expense and inconvenience when the Stephens family went to dinner at Cheddar's in Katy. While eating dinner their vehicle was broken into.

School Backpacks Stolen

“This happened last Thursday evening after my daughter’s first volleyball game at West Memorial Junior High,” says Eddie Stephens. “We also had her friend with us.”

The back-passenger window of the Stephens vehicle was broken and both girls had their backpacks taken.

“We could not have been there for more than an hour,” says Stephens, who called Harris County Constable Precinct 5 and filed a police report.

Cheddar's didn’t have any camera footage to help the investigation.

“I don’t think it would have mattered where we parked,” says Stephens. “Across the street under the I-10 bridge there are several homeless living in tents. It’s getting really bad.”

Sadly, the Stephens experience isn’t an isolated event. Many Katyites responded to his social media warning sharing tales of their break-ins from Katy restaurants and businesses such as Willie’s, Lowe’s, Target and more.

Don't be a Victim

Harris County Constable Ted Heap of Precinct 5 offers tips on how people can avoid being a victim.

Keep your cars and trucks locked at all times.
Do not leave car keys inside your vehicle.
Put any valuables or packages out of sight. Even if you're stepping out for just a minute, you don't want to tempt someone who's up to no good.
Try and park under a streetlight or park your vehicle inside your locked garage at your residence if you are able to.

Items such as school backpacks have become highly targeted since many carry devices in them.

The Stephens family has had their vehicle broken into three times since moving to Katy 3 years ago.

If you are victimized by a vehicle break-in, notify law enforcement and always file a police report.