County law enforcement from Karnes and Wilson counties are investigating a recent spurt in burglary of firearms from hunting vehicles.

Four instances of items being stolen from a vehicle used for hunting purposes has led Karnes County Sheriff David Jalufka and Wilson County Sheriff Joe D. Tackitt, Jr. to believe a single individual or group may be responsible.

The first incident occurred October 12 outside Shorty’s restaurant. A hunter from Spring went in for a meal around 8 p.m. that evening. He left two 12-gauge shotguns worth a combined total of $3,100 inside his Chevy Blazer’s back seat.

He noticed the guns missing after he’d left the restaurant and arrived at his hunting camp without them. An aluminum gun case also was stolen.

The next incident occurred October 21 across both counties. In Karnes, a hunter from Robstown was at the Palace Café eating lunch at about 1 p.m. while a thief was breaking into his 2001 Chevy pickup truck outside.

The hunter didn’t have any guns in the vehicle, but an electronic music player valued at around $200 was stolen from inside.

Reports from Wilson County show two hunter’s vehicles were broken into the same day outside Maverick Grill on the north edge of the county. The hunters were inside eating and, according to the report, noticed the aftermath of the break-in upon returning to the parking lot.

Tackitt estimated around $3,000 in firearms were taken. For now, police are advising local hunters and gun owners to keep careful watch over their vehicles and to keep an eye out for and report any suspicious person around parking lots.

"If you have guns, try to conceal them. Do not leave them in plain site," Jalufka advised.

So far, no suspects have been named and both counties’ sheriff’s departments have very little evidence to go on. None of the guns have turned up at local or out-of-town pawn shops, either.

Anyone who might possibly have information related to these thefts is encouraged to contact Karnes County Sheriff David Jalufka at the Karnes County Sheriff’s Department at 780-3931.