The 2nd Street District Robberies

Kristin B.

The posh shops of the 2nd Street District are feeling the growing pains of “urban development" after six stores fell victim to burglary over the last week. In a series of similar style robberies, the break-ins took place in the early morning hours. At two stores on 2nd Street, one on 3rd Street, one on E. Cesar Chavez, and two locations on Lavaca, glass doors or windows were shattered and cash from registers or petty cash tills were taken. Last month, Leaf and RunTex FitCity were burglarized as well.

In an effort to band together, business owners met with the Downtown Austin Alliance and police officials on Tuesday to discuss what can be done to prevent further robberies. To the daily coverage already being provided by the downtown rangers, APD has added additional officers on bicycle who will patrol the area during the early morning hours. Boutique owners have begun using additional surveillance and posting signs warning thieves of shop security systems.

Though police detectives are unsure if the robber acted alone, they believe the burglaries could be related to as many as half a dozen similar robberies that have happened citywide. Of interest is a white male (about 6’0" tall) who has been seen leaving the premises in a four door sedan after several of the break-ins.