Which Houston-area shopping centers attract most crime?

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Shoplifting is just one example of the kinds of crime that tends to increase during the holiday shopping season. This made us wonder, which shopping centers in our area attract the most crime.

What we found is based on last year's numbers. Houston police officers are firm believers that you control this year's. They advise leaving purses at home and taking only one credit card, along with your driver's license or ID.

In the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, lugging bags to and from, shopper Tracey Parker is extra careful.

"Make sure I have my keys out, so that I'm prepared, and I make sure I'm definitely aware of what's going on around me, especially when I have my little ones with me," Parker said.

Paying attention is your best line of defense against those looking to commit a crime of opportunity.

Mary Hawkins has a second line of defense, her son.

"I always try to come with her wherever she goes," Deric Hawkins said.

So where are the safest places to shop?

Using our exclusive Crime Tracker, we added up last December's reported thefts, assaults and robberies in and around local malls.

Not surprisingly, we found the highest number of crimes at the biggest mall -- The Galleria. It had six vehicle break-ins and one pick-pocketing last December.

Greenspoint and Willowbrook are tied for second, with six crimes each.

Memorial City, Sharpstown and Baybrook all had five. Northline and Meyerland had four incidents; Town and Country had one, and Gulfgate had none.

Many malls like Memorial City have visible security, but Houston police officer Jim Woods says it's mostly about the individual.

"If you're not paying attention and you're not being aware of what's around you, you can be a potential victim," Woods said.

And you don't even have to be around. Shopping safety, he says, starts at your car.

"Before I came here, I emptied my car out," shopper Teresa O'Donnell said.

That's exactly what officers suggest. Also, they say you should make your most expensive purchases last and go immediately home from there.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Woman accused of leaving toddler in shopping cart

Priscanoi Maree Kisivuli, 21, is charged with abandoning a child.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston woman is accused of abandoning a child in a shopping cart while fleeing from a security guard.

On August 2, Houston police officers were called to a Target store in the 13200 block of the Northwest Freeway regarding a theft. A loss prevention security officer told police that he spotted two women on surveillance video shoplifting in the store.

According to court documents, when the officer tried to stop Priscanoi Maree Kisivuli, she allegedly fled the store carrying a small child. The 22-month-old was left in the store shopping cart.

The second woman was arrested, and she helped identify Kisivuli. The toddler was turned over to her grandmother's care.

Kisivuli, 21, is charged with abandoning a child, a felony charge. Bail has been set at $2,000.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Electrical problem may be to blame for shopping center fire

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A shopping center was damaged by an overnight fire in Houston's northwest side.

It happened at a shopping center off Mangum and Dacoma. Fire crews found fire and smoke coming from the back of two stores in the shopping center; one was a restaurant, the other a boutique shop.

Crews quickly put out the flames. They say it appears to be an electrical problem that started the fire.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Galleria a shopping hot spot for Mexican tourists

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- If you've been out and about shopping recently maybe you've noticed a lot of shoppers from Mexico. They're crossing the border to shop and there's one big reason why.

For some, its sport and for others it's their cardio workout. Yet there is another category -- the tourists who sees the Galleria as a necessity. "Everybody comes to Galleria. If you don't come to Galleria, you don't be in Houston," said tourist Anna Pimentel. The Spanish-speaking tourist has been a consistent shopper during the Galleria's 42 years of existence. At least 30 percent of shoppers who spend are Spanish speakers, mainly from Mexico. "Over time, the Galleria has become such an iconic shopping destination that offers the mixed use with the hotels and the retail mix. I think there's a convenience factor," said Galleria General Manager David Anderson. That means the spending isn't limited to the Galleria. The nearby Uptown shopping district is seeing financial benefit and catering to their Spanish-speaking customers. The Hotel Granduca is a high-end hotel and has a consistent 25 percent booking of Mexican clientele. Not only does the staff speak Spanish, but a daily shuttle to shop the Galleria and surrounding areas is offered. "They love that Post Oak corridor, so it's a perfect placement for them to be here with us and we come three and four times a day to pick up their packages and bring them back to the hotel," said Hotel Granduca General Manager Mary Grace Gray. That means Mexican tourists like Armando Valle and his family can shop 'til they drop. "Since I was a kid, this has been known as the place to shop. I was telling my friend the Galleria is hot -- it's still hot," Valle said. There is another reason to shop here -- violence is on the increase in Mexico and tourists say it's safer here where shopping can be done without bodyguards. "You can walk, you can do anything you want, you can feel calm; it's very nice," said tourist Maria de Pedro. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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