AUSTIN, Texas — Two more suspects have been arrested following vehicle break-ins at Austin parks.
It comes after a four-week operation already led to 12 arrests. Investigators say their work still isn’t done and more arrests are expected.
The Austin Police Department said 26-year-old Trayvon Swain and 30-year-old Lonnie Burke were arrested on Friday, March 7, in the 700 block of the N. Interstate 35 service road southbound near downtown.
APD said around 9:30 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a car with a fake temporary license plate. Officers identified the driver as Burke and recognized the passenger as Swain, an accused co-conspirator in the burglaries.
Swain was arrested for active warrants related to credit card abuse and engaging in organized criminal activity. Officers said they found Swain with a tool designed to break vehicle windows, as well as a black purse with a stolen Amazon gift card.
Burke was arrested for allegedly driving with an expired driver’s license.
Austin police arrests have been tied to break-ins at Bull Creek, Red Bud Isle, an area near Emma Long Metropolitan Park and Mount Bonnell.
Officials with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department said patrols have increased at hot spots and LED lights were added at Mount Bonnell. Signs at Pease District Park also show how many days it’s been since a car was broken into.
Police say park visitors should:
- Park in well-lit and populated areas whenever possible since thieves are less likely to target vehicles with high visibility and foot traffic
- Consider using steering wheel locks, alarms or GPS tracking devices to deter thieves
- Stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity
- Use a dash camera that can record when a car is parked or off so police can have video evidence to help identify suspects and recover stolen items
Between December 2024 and January 2025, police reported more than 300 vehicle burglaries around Austin parks. The city hopes to complete a security audit this year so recommendations can be made to improve park safety and security.