After his vacation, a shocked Matthew Light returned to retrieve his Toyota Tundra from one of the Bush Airport's ecopark lots, only to find that his catalytic converters had been stolen.

Light parked his car at an ecopark parking lot along JFK Boulevard on July 14 for a five-day vacation. Houston Airports have two ecopark lots located at Will Clayton Parkway and JFK Boulevard. 

According to him, he parked there believing it was safe since the airport ran it. However, he said, "I started it up, and it sounded like there was a Harley inside the vehicle." He further added that he used to park there several times in the past without any problems because it is gated, and the staff are visible. 

Aside from the parking fee of $45, he has to shell out an additional $1,800 to fix his car. 

Based on police reports, at least 55 incidents from January to June of this year at the JFK ecopark lot were mainly related to stolen car parts. The Will Clayton location only had three reported incidents of car part theft. 

Light stated that at the rate these crimes are committed, the management should have a responsibility. He wanted reimbursement for the money he had to spend on the catalytic converter, but he was unsuccessful in getting in touch with someone at the ecopark. 

Light added that if this costs $2,000 every time a theft happens, Uber would have been a more practical choice for him to and from the airport. 

The crime data from other offsite parking lots show the following for 2022:

1. The Parking Spot on JFK: 7
2. Park and Fly on JFK: 5
3. The Parking Spot 2 on Will Clayton: 4
4. Fast Park and Relax: 3
5. Fine Airport Parking: 0
6. The Parking Spot 1 on Will Clayton: 0

Houston Airport denies any liability in similar incidents that happened to Light. They have released an official statement on the matter:

"Houston Airports cares about its passengers and their property. There are multiple cameras at all parking locations, our lots are well lit, and each location has a private security guard service. Also, Houston Airports works closely with its parking operators and the Houston Police Department to have crime deterrents at all parking facilities. From January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022, more than 244,800 ecopark users have experienced our efforts which have resulted in 99.97% of customers using our facilities without a security incident.

Houston Airports constantly reviews how to better safeguard passengers' vehicles while they are traveling and in addition to the crime deterrents in our parking facilities, we are grateful to the officers of the Houston Police Department who assist us every day in safeguarding our parking facilities.

Houston Airports cares about its passengers and their property. There are multiple cameras at all parking locations, our lots are well lit, and each location has a private security guard service. Also, Houston Airports works closely with its parking operators and the Houston Police Department to have crime deterrents at all parking facilities. From January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022, more than 244,800 ecopark users have experienced our efforts which have resulted in 99.97% of customers using our facilities without a security incident."