SALADO, TX — Law enforcement is investigating after thieves were found lurking through Salado neighborhoods just before daybreak Wednesday. Police say it appears they were looking for unlocked cars.

Chris Zuber was alerted by his dogs and his Ring security system that something was stirring outside. He opened the door to find a man with a AR-15 rifle wearing a mask.

Zuber said he called police. Salado police said they rolled up on an attempted break-in at that time.

“The individual had a weapon. He was wearing a ski mask and had a gun. Officers had a foot pursuit. We lost him, but we did recover the weapon, which happened to be stolen from a burglary in Killeen about a month ago,” said Salado Police Chief Pat Boone.

Zuber said an AR-15 magazine was left behind in his yard.

“It was just kind of surreal. Only saw one guy but surreal. He had some type of mask on. Some type of Halloween mask on, too. You always hear about these things happening on the news, but you never expect it to happen to you,” said Zuber.

A few miles away, the Bell County Sheriff’s department is investigating a stolen vehicle and a burglary of a vehicle off of FM 2484.

“A bunch of cameras detected it,” said Guy Dashnea. Surveillance footage from numerous homes captured video of suspects roaming through the neighborhood.

Chief Boone urges residents to take proper precautions when securing their vehicle. He says drivers should take the keys with them, and lock the doors.

“We’ve had three cars stolen in the past two and a half months, and everyone the keys were left in it,” said Chief Boone.

Zuber said he’s glad he had taken security measures with a surveillance system.

“We’ve only had it for two weeks now. Kind of came in handy. Showed the cops and everything. We just ordered 3 or 4 more of them,” said Zuber.