local
Burglar armed with axe steals Gatesville woman's family heirlooms
Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Erin Delahunty , KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 19, 2026
· 2 min read
A Gatesville woman returned home to find a burglar had kicked down her door and stolen a safe containing irreplaceable family heirlooms.WATCH HERE: Burglar armed with axe steals Gatesville woman's family heirloomsDora Aponte said she came home last Tuesday to discover the break-in. Surveillance f...
Key takeaway And my surveillance cameras say he kicked the door in at about 3:30, so 45 minutes later," Aponte said.
Why this matters in The Waco
The break-in at Dora Aponte's home in Gatesville is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of rural areas to property crime. With the burglar using an axe to gain entry and making off with a safe containing irreplaceable family heirlooms, the incident has left Aponte and her community shaken. The fact that other residents in the area have reported similar incidents suggests a potential pattern of crime that warrants closer attention from local law enforcement. The recovery of the empty safe in Aponte's front yard a few days after the break-in may provide investigators with valuable evidence to track down the perpetrator. As the investigation unfolds, it will be crucial for the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. The McLennan County community will be watching closely to see how this case is resolved and what measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Gatesville woman returned home to find a burglar had kicked down her door and stolen a safe containing irreplaceable family heirlooms.WATCH HERE: Burglar armed with axe steals Gatesville woman's family heirloomsDora Aponte said she came home last Tuesday to discover the break-in. Surveillance f...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Erin Delahunty at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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