Pronews Seven answers a viewer e-mail question
By Billy Loftin
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 6:15 p.m.
Read more: Local, Crime, Community, Amarillo, Amarillo Police Department, Burglaries, Amarillo Burglary Arrest Rate, Arrest Rate for Burglaries in Amarillo
AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Recently, a viewer e-mailed Pronews Seven a question: Out of all the burglaries that happen in town, what percentage of those burglars get caught and prosecuted?
Turns out that Amarillo averages around 24-hundred burglaries a year.
In 2008, the Amarillo Police Department had an arrest clearance rate of 6%.
Out of those arrested around 80% are prosecuted.
Officers say that burglaries are often challenging cases to solve due to a lack of evidence.
"Burglary is not just a crime of opportunity, burglars can pick the time and place so they can arrange to commit their crime where there aren't any witnesses, they also can be careful or lucky and not leave any physical evidence behind," said Sgt. Brent Barbee, Amarillo Police Department.
Keep in mind these numbers only account for home and business burglaries and are not related to auto.
Thank you for the e-mail question and we hope we provided some answers.
