Memorial Villages Police Department

                                                 www.mvpdtx.org

M.V.P.D. Crime Synopsis

Weekly Statistics


MEMORIAL VILLAGES POLICE 

For quick reference in reporting crimes or suspicious activity, program our dispatch phone number into the speed dial of your home and cellular telephones.

Emergency Number:  9-1-1

Non Emergency: 713-365-3700

CHIEF’S CORNER

For approximately the last four weeks the area in and around the Villages has seen an increase in residential burglaries, as well as to a lesser extent, car burglaries.  These incidents were occurring in our Villages, as well as Hedwig Village and the surrounding Houston neighborhoods.  The burglars’ M.O. has been to enter the backyard, break out a window gaining access to the house, and stealing electronics, purses, checks, and jewelry. 

During our investigation, our detectives were able to quickly identify two male suspects who were passing forged checks stolen in residential burglary cases.  Based on this information, warrants were obtained and the suspects were apprehended. 

Information was obtained relating to a red SUV that was being used by the burglars.  Ultimately a license plate for the SUV was located.

Although the red SUV was registered to a residence in north Houston, detectives ultimately located it in an apartment complex in northwest Houston off Hammerly.

On July 13, 2010, officers from the Memorial Villages Police Department, Hedwig Village Police Department, and Spring Valley Village Police Department were in the process of conducting surveillance and monitoring the whereabouts of this red Dodge Durango.  That vehicle was located parked in front of a house on S. Chestwood Dr. just off Piney Point Road in Hedwig Village.  Officers conducting a joint surveillance operation then caught two Hispanic suspects who had just burglarized that residence.  The suspects were arrested and charged with Burglary of a Habitation.

The investigation is continuing at this time with detectives speaking to other victims, trying to determine if the victims can identify the suspect(s), and identify who the owners are in reference to the stolen property that has been located.

Gary M Brye
Chief of Police
Memorial Villages Police Department

 

Free Home Security Service Offered by Police Department

The Memorial Villages Police Department wants to remind all our residents that, in an effort to help our citizens better safeguard their home, we offer a free home security inspection service for the residents of Bunker Hill, Piney Point, and Hunters Creek Villages. MVPD has about a dozen officers certified by the state to conduct these inspections. Officers will check windows and door locks, and types of alarms for state-required minimum standards. Residents who pass the inspection are eligible for up to a 15% discount on their homeowners insurance. In addition to the state inspection, officers can make security suggestions concerning lighting, cameras, or how to secure your home when you are away.
“This service has been available for years, but very few people take advantage of it,” says Sergeant Haril Walpole, who coordinates the program. The police department is working towards getting the community more involved in crime prevention. Sergeant Walpole says, “Our officers work very hard to keep our community safe, but we can’t be everywhere, all of the time. We need more eyes and ears. That’s where the community can help.”
Residents can get a handout from the police department that explains the requirements for the insurance discount, as well as some additional security tips. The information can be picked up at the police station or sent by mail or email.  For further information please see free to contact Sergeant Walpole at hwalpole@mvpdtx.org or 713.365.3712.

CRIME ANALYSIS SUMMARY

For the period of July 16th through July 22nd, 2009

BUNKER HILL

On 07-17-10 at 4:00a.m., an officer took a report of a theft in the 600 block of Rebecca Pines. The case is currently under investigation.

On 07-21-10 at 2 p.m. a resident on Beebe Lane reported an identity theft case. The case is currently under investigation.

HUNTERS CREEK

On 07-20-10 at 8:00 a.m., an officer took an identity theft report in the 8500 block of Riverview. The case is currently under investigation.


PINEY POINT

No Activity Reported.


Crime Prevention Tips

Financial crimes involving forgery, fraud and identity theft continue to be one of the fastest growing types of crime in our society today. Criminals sometimes revise old methods to commit these types of crimes. The following recommendations will help to keep you from becoming a victim.

An old method of check forgery known as check washing is making a comeback. This involves stealing checks that have been written to pay a bill and using chemicals to “Wash” the check and remove the original payee’s name and then make it payable to the criminal so that they can then cash it.

To prevent this:
DO NOT leave outgoing bill payments in your home mailbox. ALWAYS put outgoing bill payments in an official U.S. Postal Service mailbox.

USE one of the newer uni-ball type gel ink pens to write your bill payment checks. This type of ink soaks into the check paper and cannot be chemically washed to change information on the check.

CHECK all bank and charge card statements on a monthly basis to insure that all of your check payments go to the right accounts.

Eric Jones
Detective
Memorial Villages Police Department