SAN ANTONIO – While the holiday season may be known for good tidings and cheer, it's also the time of year for shoplifting and auto burglaries, according to San Antonio police.
During a five-hour period on Sunday, alone, San Antonio police made about 20 arrests for theft, most involving retail stores.
Angie Valdez Serna, 47, for example, was arrested after officers answered a call at Academy, in the 2600 block of NW Loop 410, about a man with a woman and child who was stealing knives from the store.
At the Walmart in the 7200 block of SW Loop 410, police answered a call about a man removing security tags from merchandise and arrested Santiago Jimmy Casias III, 22.
Juan Ramon Garza, 33, was arrested at another Walmart in the 3300 block of SE Military after police received a report of a couple shoplifting.
The increase in crime has some retailers, including Wonderland of the Americas mall, on heightened alert.
"From our patrols that are inside and also outside, patrolling the entire property," said Victoria Hernandez, director of marketing for the mall. "We talk to our tenants and we keep involved with what's going on, and we're proud to say that we haven't seen a rise in shoplifting."
Hernandez credits the mall's surveillance video monitoring system which directly ties in with the city of Balcones Heights' police department.
"Response time is (quick)," she said.
While the mall does all it can to keep crime and criminals at bay, Hernandez suggests that shoppers also maintain a sense of awareness about themselves and their property.
"Definitely put it away, don't have stuff out," she said. "Don't leave your car keys out. Don't leave money our where people can definitely see."
San Antonio police offer those tips and more for escaping the downside of the holiday season.