Sunday, July 13, 2008

AUSTIN

Police suspect smuggling link

Three trucks found Friday at a Southeast Austin home could have been used in a human smuggling operation, Austin police said.

About 5:30 p.m., an officer checked the license plates of three pickups — a 2005 Dodge, 2004 Ford and 2004 Dodge — at 5802 Walnut Hollow Cove in Southeast Austin and discovered that the trucks had been stolen, said Sgt. Richard Stresing of Austin police.

Investigators found that the trucks were modified to carry heavy cargo, Stresing said.

He said he did not know how the trucks had been altered.

When police officers entered the home Friday night, no one was there, Stresing said.

The property owners have a post office box in California, according to Travis County records.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/n ... undup.html