Harris County Treasurer Carla Wyatt charged with car burglary, records show

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Harris County Treasurer seeking reelection in 2026 faces no primary opponent in March, but she is facing a criminal charge Monday night. Carla Wyatt is accused of burglary of a motor vehicle.

As treasurer, Carla Wyatt manages Harris County’s money, but now she is also managing a defense for a criminal misdemeanor.

Wyatt is charged with burglary of a vehicle after investigators say she was in a parking lot on Washington Ave. Saturday, when she opened the unlocked door of a minivan and got inside. The owner and witnesses called police.

Investigators report that Wyatt denied any wrongdoing and told them she had permission to be in the Toyota minivan. The owner told investigators she did not know Wyatt and did not give her permission.

Wyatt did not answer the door at her home when an ABC13 crew visited, and employees at her office said she was not at work.

The District Attorney’s Office provided ABC13 a statement which read:

“We are aware that Carla Wyatt was arrested and charged with burglary of a motor vehicle. As this case is pending, our office will not comment further on the details of the investigation.

What we can say is this: the pursuit of justice in Harris County is guided by the law and evidence, not by political affiliation, public office, or party ties. No one is above the law. No one is exempt from accountability. Our responsibility is, and always will be, to the people in this community.”

Wyatt is out on bond and is will be arraigned later this week. It is unknown why she allegedly broke into the vehicle; she has not replied to the ABC13 team’s phone calls, texts, or email messages.

According to court records, Wyatt was charged with DWI in 2023 and with violating conditions of her bond in 2024, but the case was dismissed in August after she completed a pretrial diversion program.

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