Austin’s South Congress area is grappling with a surge in break-ins, causing concern among local business owners. According to CBS Austin, the Austin Police Department (APD) is currently investigating a burglary at Habana Restaurant. The incident took place last week, when officers responded to the scene in the early morning. The break-in resulted in both property damage and theft, with no arrests having been made as of yet.
Further reporting by FOX 7 Austin highlighted the struggle of TJ Williams, the owner of Habana Restaurant, who experienced his fourth burglary this year. Williams detailed the professionalism of the thieves, stating, “These guys we’re fully covered. They kind of knew exactly what they were looking for.” The break-in involved the theft of a 100-pound safe containing $3,800. Austin PD recognizes the connection between this incident and other similar burglaries in the area.
With the escalation of burglaries, businesses are changing their operations to mitigate risk. Jo’s Coffee on South Congress has gone completely cashless after a break-in, while Habana Restaurant has fortified its patio with additional security measures. Williams expressed that the frequency has spiked from one incident a month to as many as two per week. Crime data cited by Austin police indicates a concerning trend, with 42 burglaries reported along South Congress since the start of the year…