Rash of car burglaries in the Heights

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Residents in the Heights are watching their cars after a rash of car break-ins. One resident says surveillance video captured a man looking to make a quick buck.

"It's been very common, if you leave your car outside, chances are at one time or another it'll be broken into," said neighbor Pamela Dreef.

Police say they've seen a rash of car burglaries reported in the Heights and residents are on alert. But at one home, surveillance video was rolling just before a car was broken into.

Neighbors are warning others about the strange actions of one guy that were caught on tape. He was seen riding a bicycle approaching a gray car. Neighbors on Waverly Street in the Heights say the strange man was caught on camera trespassing on their property and checking out cars.

Dreef said, "(It's) very frustrating. You know, it's our home, and it's our place where we feel safe."

Dreef says her housekeeper parked a car in the alley behind her home Thursday morning when spaces ran out on the main street. She says her surveillance cameras caught the man riding up, pulling the driver's side handle and peering through the window.

"When she went to leave, we discovered the back window was broken into and her purse was stolen," Dreef said.

Though the video doesn't show the actual break-in, it does show a person scoping out the car minutes before they discovered the car break-in. Now Dreef is warning her neighbors and contacting police.

"You know, if he's going to keep going after cars, I mean that's obviously a concern," said neighbor Omar Sharief. "But if he gets more brazen and does something else, that's a bigger concern to me."

Houston police say they have responded to several car break-ins in this area recently. Officers say many of those car burglaries in the past month have been between the 900 and 1000 block of Waverly.

"I'm sure it's going to catch up with him -- hopefully soon because this is very frustrating," Dreef said.

These car break-ins have police reminding folks to avoid leaving valuables in plain view.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

heights, local, demond fernandez

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Police: Man dies after being shot while driving near the Heights

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police are hunting for the killer or killers after a man was shot through his car window near the Heights overnight.

It happened at the Colonial Apartments on North Durham and West 11th. That's where a tan car was found. Next to the vehicle, a man was found lying on his back on the street. Police say he was breathing at the time, but not responsive.

Authorities believe he was shot while driving because the driver's window was shot out. The victim died on the way to the hospital.

There are two witnesses being interviewed by investigators. Police say they do not have any suspects or a motive in the shooting.

The victim's identitiy hasn't been released.

Anyone with information on this case is being asked to call authorities.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local, katie mccall

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Officers go to great heights for charity

An iWitness viewer caught this photo of the officers sitting on the roof and submitted it through iwitness.abc13.com.

  GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- The Galveston Police Department and Shipley Do-Nuts are teaming up for a Law Enforcement Torch Run event to raise money for Special Olympics Texas.

Officers sat on the roof of Shipley's Donuts at 5401 Broadway between the hours of 7am and 11am on Thursday. The officers collected donations and had a goal of $400 apiece before they could come down from the roof. All proceeds go to the Special Olympics Texas.

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event in which law enforcement agencies from around the state participate in an actual running event to carry the "Flame of Hope" to the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics Texas Summer Games in Arlington.

The Galveston Police Department has a history of promoting awareness and raising funds for the Special Olympics Texas.

For more information on Special Olympics Texas and the Law Enforcement Torch run go to http://www.sotx.org/. You can also donate by visiting http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/michael-gray-4/galvestonpolice.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Police chase ends in fatal crash near Heights

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A police chase ended in a deadly crash near the Heights this morning. A car and box truck collided on North Shepherd near the North Loop around 5am.

Police say the driver of a white Honda was seen stealing tires at a residence in the Garden Oaks area. Officers responded to the scene and began chasing the suspect.

The suspect apparently lost control and hit a pickup truck before slamming into the box truck. The driver of the Honda died at the scene. The other drivers appeared to be OK. A police investigation is underway.

All northbound lanes of Shepherd are closed from I-610 N Loop to Durham due to the accident. As an alternate route, drivers are advised to take Yale, Ashland or Alba to W. 34th to N. Shepherd.

Check real-time traffic information in our ABC13.com traffic section

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local, sonia azad

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Homes in Houston Heights - Perfect Family Homes

Family escapes burning home in the Heights

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A family of four is safe after a fire tore through the back of their home overnight.

It happened around midnight on Oxford Street near East 15th in the Heights. Firefighters arrived to find flames coming from the back of the one-story house. Crews were able to put out the fire in about 10 minutes.

The fire destroyed the back of the home. The cause is under investigation.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Armored truck stolen during robbery at Kroger in the Heights

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The search is on for the man who stole an armored truck at the Kroger in the Heights.

The FBI has been counting cash tonight to see how much was stolen during this heist, though they never release exact figures. It was a bold robbery in the middle of the afternoon, two against one, and at this busy gas station.

It's back to business at the Kroger Fuel Center on North Shepherd at 11th Street. Actually, business never really stopped. Pumps remained open despite gunfire in the parking lot that stopped Rosemary Perez right in her tracks.

"We heard three, then two seconds later, another three. It was six shots," Perez said.

She first ducked for cover behind the counter at the cleaners where she works across the street, and then when she looked up, saw the armored van speed off.

Authorities say two armored car guards came under fire shortly before 3pm Tuesday as they were making a delivery at the gas station. They exchanged gunfire with the robber. Stray bullets struck tires in the parking lot, but no one was hurt and the suspect managed to get away with the prize.

Minutes later, and just around the block, Houston police found the bullet-riddled van abandoned in the back of an apartment complex at 900 N. Durham where they think the armed robber transferred cash to a waiting car. K-9 units tried to track his scent while back at the gas station loved ones comforted the guards.

When they were through, they didn't answer questions.

Triple D Security, the company which operates the van, said they had no comment. And the guards had to tell their stories again elsewhere. They were taken away from the scene. While across the street, Rosemary Perez and her co-workers stood amazed that no one was hurt.

"It looked like he was just shooting at the van," said Teresa Torres.

The armored van had just finished a delivery at the Kroger before moving to the fuel center. There isn't a detailed description of the robber, but a reward is being offered by Crime Stoppers for information.

There were a few armored car robberies earlier this year and some remain unsolved. The FBI's Houston Area Bank Robbery Task Force is investigating to compare them to see if any are linked.

HPD is very familiar with this Kroger store, and it may seem familiar to you, too. That's because just a few weeks ago, Houston police invited the media to that Kroger for a press conference on safety. They spent that morning discussing what shoppers can do to avoid becoming crime victims. Then officers went from vehicle to vehicle, leaving notices on the windshields of those that were prime targets for thieves.

In addition, HPD has a storefront office directly across the street from the grocery store.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

heights, local, jessica willey

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Diamond ring left in Salvation Army kettle in Heights

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- You've heard of the gold coins being found in red kettles across the country, but you don't hear this too often.

The Salvation Army found a diamond ring in a red kettle in the Heights. The diamond ring was wrapped inside a $20 with a note that reads, "I haven't used this in over 7 years. Hope it does better for you than it did for me!"

Sounds like someone decided to make some good out of a bad relationship.

Proceeds front he red kettle campaign go to help operate non-profits across Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Heights Wal-Mart traffic may threaten bridge integrity

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- People in The Heights want an 80-year-old bridge repaired, especially with the potential for heavy traffic moving in with new construction.

The Yale Street Bridge over White Oak Bayou surrounds a proposed Wal-Mart store. Heights residents gathered Saturday to voice their concerns.

"We're really disappointed in our city officials at this point," said Viula Torgerson with the Responsible Urban Development for Houston organization.

Torgerson and her neighbors are protesting to call attention to the bridge, which is just south of Interstate 10.

They say it's only designed to hold 40,000 pounds -- not built to withstand the weight of 18 wheelers, school buses and heavy construction trucks all passing at the same time.

"You put two or three full 18 wheelers on here and this bridge is going down, and someone's going to die," Heights resident Graeme Mardon said.

With a new Wal-Mart being built around the corner and the chance of additional development, these residents are demanding the bridge be fixed before any groundbreakings.

"Once they start this development, it'll be harder and harder to stop," ------------ said.

In addition, the city is adding a nearby stop light, which residents say will create more idling on the already shoddy bridge.

"There's going to be a massive increase of traffic, in particular 18 wheelers," ---- said.

Trucks could be redirected through neighborhood streets -- including Heights Blvd. -- instead of Yale. This is an idea cyclists are putting the brakes on.

"I just want it safe," Cheryl Hensley said.

The proposed Wal-Mart has been a magnet for controversy even before the bridge concerns. Some neighbors feel the store would bring unwanted traffic and hurt the quality of life in The Heights, but supporters say Wal-Mart will bring jobs.

The developer has already bought more land around the proposed Wal-Mart to build other stores.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local, sonia azad

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