Rash of burglaries reported in Round Rock

Round Rock police are investigating a string of burglaries over the past few weeks. Many of them in neighborhoods along south A.W. Grimes.

They say in two of the cases children were home alone when the man tried to break in, after they wouldn't answer the door. In one of the cases, he stole a gun. Round Rock Police posted the warning on their Facebook page.

They sent FOX 7 the streets where the break-ins have happened, but they did not have dates and times available:

3800 block Vallarta Lane
1100 block Sunbeam Cove
200 block Creek Ridge
1200 block Green Terrace Drive
2000 block Mimosa Trail
1600 block Breezy Court
1900 block Creekview Drive

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his mid to late 20's, with black hair and an average build. One of the children reported him as being 6'2" inches tall. She also told police he had a mask on.

"Lots of kids, lots of families, it's a nice neighborhood," that's how Courtney describes her Creek Ridge neighborhood. The burglar tried to break into her home early last week, in the middle of the day. Courtney, was there with her two children.

"They rang the doorbell six times, and they would pause in between," she says. When she didn't answer, she says he left, but came back a few minutes later.

"Next thing i noticed, I hear my gate open and I look out the back of the window and he's standing there with gloves on and a rock in his hand, so i knew he didn't have good intentions," she says. "I shouted out the back door to get off my property, and that i was on the phone with police. He ran, he ran across the backyard and jumped over the fence."

The fence has a padlock, now. Her neighbor Ken Tuck has turned his home into a high-tech fortress, complete with a remote security system.

"I'm expecting when people go to work that they think that's the prime time to hit, so I'm looking out for it," he says, adding, "I'm here. So maybe some of the other people that are gone during the day need to be aware that this is happening and they need to get their security systems up and going."

Courtney says as long as the burglar is on the loose, she won't let her children play outside, even if she or her husband are watching them. And she says she feels trapped inside her own home.

"The fact that you have to go out and buy all of these things and take all of these measures to protect it, it's a little disheartening."

But if the burglar comes back, she'll be ready.

"We're going to get cameras, we're looking at purchasing a firearm."

The Round Rock Police Department suggests the following safety tips:

Get an alarm or put up a sign that says that you have one. That alone can be a deterrent.
Trim hedges and shrubs. That makes it harder for burglars to conceal themselves.
Get a dog, it can help deter burglars from entering your home or backyard.
Get to know your neighbors. A neighbor you know is more likely to call police if they see something suspicious happening at your home.

Rock Rock Police are asking anyone with information to call them, 512-218-5500. You can also send in tips through their app.