Priscilla Houston, 35, of Austin was arrested Jan. 13 in Pflugerville by Sgt. Investigator Jody Cummings, who led the investigation, and members of the Texas Department of Public Safety Auto Theft Task Force.

Lampasas Police Chief Tim Angermann said Ms. Houston on Jan. 7 test-drove a 2005 Chevrolet pickup from Procter Motors in Lampasas.

Later that night, she and an accomplice returned to the lot and stole the pickup, the police chief said. The vehicle has not been recovered.

Ms. Houston also visited other local car lots but did not drive any vehicles.

She is a suspect in two stolen vehicle cases in Spicewood, two in Liberty Hill and one in Burnet, Angermann added.

Ms. Houston is in jail in Travis County. Other charges are expected to be filed, and an additional arrest likely will stem from the ongoing investigation.

“Jody gave other departments the break they were looking for,” said Angermann. “His hard work paid off.”

The police chief said information obtained on the suspect’s identity helped clear the local case.

“Businesses shouldn’t be afraid to ask for a driver’s license and other identifying information,” said Angermann. “It was important in breaking this case, and it could be for others as well.”

Angermann praised the officers involved in clearing the recent burglaries and auto theft cases. “That’s their job, but they worked a lot of extra hours on these cases, and they put in a lot of hard work.”