CHINA SPRING, TX — People in China Spring are on the lookout after a crime spree left cars and homes broken into.
Amy Pope says she was home with her two children around 10 a.m. on Wednesday when someone tried smashing through her bedroom window.
"I had a couple of kids. They were sick. I was kind of walking towards my bedroom, and I heard like glass breaking or like a boom," she recalled.
Pope describes the suspect as a man wearing a red hoodie and black pants.
"At that point, we're telling the little kids, "Go in your hiding spots. Stay there. Lock the door. Call 9-1-1 if you hear gunshots,"" said Pope.
The suspect wasn't able to get through, but Pope and her 18-year old son ran outside to investigate.
"By the time we got out here, the guy had taken off this way, like where that wooded area is, and jumped over the fences and started booking it. He started running," Pope explained.
According to the McLenann County Sheriff's Office, there has been a series of break-ins to both homes and cars in China Spring recently.
"Have the mindset that you're not gonna let someone come in your house and harm you or kill you or one of your loved ones. The best way to combat this is to get a security system that videos your driveway or wherever your vehicle is going to be," said Sheriff Parnell McNamera.
This week, MSCO arrested Patrick Nate, who they say is connected to multiple burglaries in China Spring. However, deputies say they need the community's help to help track down more suspects.
"The investigation continues. We're not gonna let up, and hopefully we have more arrests coming down the pipe," said Sheriff McNamara.
If you live in China Spring and have been a victim to car or home break-ins, you're asked to contact the sheriff's department as they're working to see which area needs the most patrol.
