BEAUMONT, Texas — An 18-year-old Beaumont man has been arrested for burglary of a vehicle and taken to Jefferson County Jail after police say he was found breaking into a vehicle parked in a driveway early Tuesday.
Elijah Guillory was arrested after allegedly being found by a Beaumont police officer stealing from a vehicle Tuesday around 5:20 a.m. according to a Beaumont Police Department news release.
Police have not determined if Guillory will be charged in connection to a string of more than 25 auto burglaries overnight. Police say at least three firearms were stolen during the burglaries that happened mostly at hotels in the 2000 block of 11th Street, 7100 block of Eastex Freeway and the 2200-2300 block of I-10 South.
In most of the cases, the vehicles were pickup trucks and entry was forced by the suspect.
Scott Bridges was one of the man victims. He and his construction crew have been in Beaumont for about a month working on a project.
"They knocked my window out, stole my pistol, stole 12-13 hundred dollars cash, and not only my vehicle did they get, they got one of my other work trucks," said Bridges.
Beaumont police officer Haley Morrow said the suspect(s) targeted work trucks. Most of the victims had their doors locked, and did not leave valuables behind.
"It's frustrating, not only for the people who are involved, especially when they're company vehicles, but also for the police department," said Morrow.
Morrow said it's always best to lock doors and take valuables, because it adds extra layers of protection. Police are asking for people to report any suspicious activity, and report any break-ins, even if nothing was taken.
Police say it's unknown at this time if Guillory is responsible for additional auto burglaries and are investigating.
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An officer saw a bicycle parked in the roadway in the 3300 block of St. Helena around 5:20 a.m. Tuesday and allegedly found Guillory burglarizing a vehicle at a home.
Police spoke with the homeowner and were told he did not know the suspect.
The homeowner identified the items the suspect had as property taken from his vehicle.
From a Beaumont Police Department news release:
The Beaumont Police Department is investigating over 25 reported Auto Burglaries overnight. Almost all of the auto burglaries occurred at local hotels in the 2000 block of 11th Street, 7100 block of Eastex Freeway, and the 2200-2300 block of IH-10 South. In most cases, the vehicles targeted were pickup trucks and forced entry was used to gain access to the vehicles. At this time, it is reported that at least 3 firearms were stolen during the crime spree.
On Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at 5:20 a.m. a Beaumont Police Officer was in route to a call for service when he observed a bicycle parked in the roadway in the 3300 block of St. Helena. Upon further investigation, the Officer observed a black male to be actively committing an auto burglary of a vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence. The Officer detained the suspected auto burglar and made contact with the homeowner, who advised that he did not know the suspect and the property on the suspects' person was in fact stolen from his vehicle. The suspect was identified as 18 year old Beaumont resident,Elijah Guillory. Guillory was placed under arrest for Burglary of a Motor Vehicle and transported to the Jefferson County Jail.
At this time, it is unknown in Guillory is responsible for additional auto burglaries, as those investigations are on-going.
As always, we want to remind our citizens to remove all valuables and firearms out of your vehicle, lock the doors and take the keys, every time. Also, if you see someone or something suspicious, call Beaumont Police at 409-832-1234.