News 8
Dallas' Top 10 addresses for vehicle burglaries 
07:47 AM CST on Monday, November 16, 2009
DALLAS — The city's number one location for vehicle burglaries is a place few cars ever go, the Flying J Travel Plaza at Interstate 20 and Bonnie View Drive.
"All the equipment that's easy to fence is right there in our trucks so why wouldn't we be the number one target?" asked Maggie Basham, an independent truck driver.
Driving a black Mack truck, she is a regular at the Flying J truck stop - has been for 10 years.
Thieves aren't after the load of dog food she's hauling on this day, but the electronics in her cab.
"Most of us have XM radios built in," she added. "We have GPS modules on our dashes."
Dallas has revealed specific addresses, not just ZIP codes, that experience the most vehicle burglaries.
Dallas Police say the Flying J Travel Plaza at 7425 Bonnie View Road has had 80 vehicle break-ins so far this year which is about two a week. It tops the list of Dallas addresses for these types of burglaries.
Another Flying J Travel Plaza location at 34100 LBJ Freeway ranks second with 45.
Two Walmarts rank high as well, including the one at I-30 and Cockrell Hill. It experienced 33.
The 24 Hour Fitness on Royal at Hwy. 75 has had 32 vehicle burglaries this year.
And not even visible security at the posh NorthPark Center could prevent 30 vehicles from being broken into there since January 1.
The number of vehicle burglaries is up slightly year over year while the number of arrests is down.
Dallas City Council's Public Safety Committee will discuss the problem on Monday.
"We utilize both uniformed and undercover officers," explained Lt. Andy Harvey, Dallas Police. "Even then, they are difficult to prevent due to how quickly they occur and the fact that they are opportunistic in nature."
"It's up to the drivers to take care of their own selves first," Basham added.
She takes valuables out of her semi when she leaves - yet to be ripped off at a place thieves know well.
Below are the top 10 locations for vehicle burglaries 2009 year-to-date, according to the City of Dallas:
1. Flying J Travel Plaza, 7425 Bonnie View Rd, 80 burglaries.
2. Flying J Travel Plaza, 34100 LBJ Freeway, 45 burglaries.
3. Walmart, 7401 Samuell Blvd., 44 burglaries.
4. Baby Dolls Saloon, 10250 Shady Trail, 34 burglaries.
5. Walmart, 1521 N. Cockrell Hill Rd, 33 burglaries.
6. Shopping Center, 9100 N. Central Expwy, 32
7. 24 Hour Fitness, 11100 N. Central Expwy, 32
8. La Quinta/Quality Inn, 7815 LBJ Frwy, 31
9. Vineyards Apartments, 8850 Ferguson Rd, 30
10. NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expwy, 30
E-mail jwhitely@wfaa.com
