APD foils serial burglaries in NW Austin (Fund the police already!)

Security footage screenshot of burglary suspects (Courtesy photo)

Ed. note: For whatever reason this story was completely missed by Austin-area media. (Oh wait: that's us, too!) See below for our write-up, as told by the folks with Stop Candlewood, and be sure to support Austin Proposition A this November to restore full funding to the Austin Police Department.

AUSTIN — Even after a long Labor Day weekend and with limited resources due to budget cuts, Austin Police Department officers successfully stopped an outbreak of burglaries in Northwest Austin.

Over the past two weeks, several hotels between The Domain and the Williamson County portion of the city had reported incidents of burglaries, break-ins, and substance abuse in parking lots. Evidence would suggest the incidents were linked.

Hotel owner Sanjay Chaudhari reviewed security camera footage after a safe containing $1,000 was stolen on morning of Saturday, Aug. 28 . A couple who seem to have been the thief and the "lookout" were presumed to be part of an isolated incident — Mr. Chaudhari resolved to be more careful about locking doors and securing items, even in broad daylight.

Austin Police indicated at the time they were unable to send an officer to the hotel or investigate fully.

The Chaudhari family owns two hotels in the same parking lot at the infamous Candlewood Suites that was purchased by the city for $9.5 million to house around 50 persons. The Candlewood is currently vacant and all hotel branding has been removed.

One week later, over Labor Day weekend, a couple matching the appearance of the alleged safe burglars seems to have again targeted the hotel -- with three guest rooms broken into. In one guest quarters two children's backpacks and two laptops were found missing, and in another room a laptop, a Nintendo Switch, and other items were found missing. The same suspect-couple appeared to attempt to break into a room while guests were sleeping.

Again, Austin Police seemed unable to devote much manpower to the incident, aside from a productive phone call with an APD detective.

"We're grateful the guests had the deadbolt in place," said Rupal Chaudhari, wife of Mr. Chaudhari and CFO for the hotel group. "We were in dread over what a third weekend would have resulted in — someone may have gotten hurt. Fortunately, APD had us on their radar and the next burglary was swiftly averted."

Three days later, on Wednesday, Sept. 8, a couple matching their description was spotted by a watchful hotel employee, according to Mr. Chaudhari.

"After we called 9-1-1, numerous police vehicles arrived at the property within minutes and secured the property. The female suspect was taken into custody. The male suspect, unfortunately, fled on a bicycle, before being involved in a crash" Mrs. Chaudhari said. "We are grateful for the investigative skill demonstrated by APD detectives and the fantastic job done by all the officers who responded." 

Mrs. Chaudhari said her efforts with the growing Stop Candlewood movement have made the community aware of numerous public safety issues facing the city. She said she is certain that crime will worsen as the former Candlewood becomes an operational permanent supportive housing shelter, unless it is stopped. Multiple lawsuits are pending against the city of Austin to prevent the hotel from opening as a shelter.