Showing posts with label invasion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label invasion. Show all posts

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Weapons stolen during home invasion in NW Harris County

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A homeowner in northwest Harris County fell victim to armed burglars Friday morning.

According to the constable's office, the crime rate in the Ponderosa subdivision is not high. There were no recorded burglaries last month, according to the chief deputy constable there, and only two in November. But none of that matters to the man who was targeted on Friday morning. He talked to Eyewitness News, but he doesn't want to be identified.

"I look over just in time to see all of them get out with their guns in their hands, and they're pointing them right at me," he said. "They said, 'Get in the house.'"

Four men wearing masks, and one of the guns was pointed at the family dog.

The victim recalled, "I said, "Please don't shoot that dog. That dog is not aggressive. She's a great dog.' And he said, 'Well, then put her in the back yard.'"

That's when the victim says the ransacking operation began. Electronics and what little jewelry he had were all taken. And there were the guns. The robbers got away with about half a dozen. A locked gun case with shotguns still inside was discarded as the men jumped in a waiting car.

"It wasn't fun watching it," the victim told Eyewitness News. "One guy had a constant gun on me the whole time. I was pretty much focused on him, looking down the barrel of his gun. He kept screaming, 'I'm going to shoot you. I'm going to shoot you.'"

The house has been hit before. The last time, this contractor says his tools were stolen. But this is different. It's personal and he doesn't want it to happen again, and he says he wants to move, but he doesn't know where.

Four male suspects were described only as being somewhat young, last seen making their getaway in a white compact sedan. Anyone with information on who they may be is asked to call the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
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local, deborah wrigley

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Family recovering after terrifying home invasion in Sugar Land

SUGAR LAND, TX (KTRK) -- A Sugar Land family is recovering after surviving a terrifying night being attacked by a group of violent burglars. Four men stormed the family's home on Baldwin Crossing near Mayfair just before 10pm Monday.

Zubeda Ali, who was repeatedly pistol whipped in the head, is back home now after getting staples and stitches in the hospital. On Monday night, she and her family endured a harrowing ordeal here.

It was 9:45pm when the doorbell rang here on Baldwin Crossing. Outside was a person holding what appeared to be a box of pizza.

"My mom thought it was my cousin coming to sleep over, who comes all the time," said Ali's daughter.

She didn't want us to show her face, but she agreed to talk with us in the hopes of catching the men who burst into her mother's home when her mom cracked the door open.

"It's really important. It's really ridiculous. This is supposed to be a really nice neighborhood," she said.

The mother was home with her husband and another adult daughter. Family says the mother fought with the men as they tried to push their way in that front door, even biting their hands, but they were too strong.

Police say four men, all wearing masks of some kind, then demanded cash.

"They wanted to know where the money was located; they knew it was there," said Sugar Land police spokesperson Doug Adolph. "The homeowners wouldn't tell them where the money was, so they pistol whipped the 53-year-old female."

The woman's daughter says her family was tied up with duct tape and blindfolded. She says her sister ran into a bedroom to try and call 911 on a cell phone, but couldn't get through. Police say the thieves rummaged through the home for 30 minutes. Family says it was closer to 40. They loaded up the family's sedan with cash, TVs and jewelry and took off.

Some neighbors say they moved out of Houston to get away from this type of crime and they're having trouble realizing that it is here too.

"Honestly, I'm numb. It hasn't registered yet," said neighbor Indu Khera.

Family says the mother pretended to be unconscious until the men fled. She then was somehow able to untie herself, the rest of her family and call 9-1-1.

Police say the homeowner here operates two dry cleaning stores in Houston and may have been targeted because of the cash which small business owners usually handle. They remind small business owners to be cognizant of their surroundings. They also tell everyone never to open a door to your home if you don't know the person on the other side.

Police are still looking for the family's 2003 silver Toyota Camry which was stolen, with the license plate BZ9 Z060.

If you have seen the vehicle or have any information that can help police in this case, you are urged to call Crime Stoppers at 281-342-TIPS or Sugar Land police at 281-275-2500.

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


sugar land, local, kevin quinn

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Saturday, September 8, 2012

Couple tied up in home invasion robbery

KATY, TX (KTRK) -- An elderly couple was put through a terrifying ordeal, tied up and robbed during a home invasion in Katy.

Authorities are searching for the group of men who barged in and ransacked the couple's home.

Neighbors told us the couple who lives in the house in the 19800 block of Summerset Way near Fry Road is still very overwhelmed after that home invasion back here.

Investigators say it was just after 11am Thursday when five strange men approached the residence in the Estates at Green Trails. They say four of those men made their way into the home and tied up the couple inside. Both those victims are in their 70s.

Neighbors tell us the husband is ill and his wife tried her best to fight off the attackers. We're told those burglars took an assault rifle, and antique handgun and some cash before running off.

"We are all in shock right now because it is a quiet neighborhood. Nothing like this happens in our neighborhood and I'd gotten a message at work that this had happened and I just couldn't believe it. I worried about the neighbors that this happened to because they're an older couple and you just worry about their health," said neighbor Susan Brouchas.

Investigators say the female victim had to be taken to the hospital to be checked out.

As for the five suspects, deputies say they left the area in a white SUV.

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


katy, local, demond fernandez

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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Home invasion suspect ID'ed through DNA on soda bottle

See it on TV? Check here.   HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Detectives say they are searching for a suspected robber they've identified through DNA on a soda bottle he left at the scene of a home invasion in northwest Harris County.

Victor Luevano is wanted on a charge of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in connection to an October 16 home invasion in the 13000 block of Ann Louise Road, according to his charging document.

Detectives say a family was sitting at the home with a visitor when four to five masked men barged in with rifles, shotguns and pistols. The men ordered everyone inside a bedroom as they robbed the house of electronics and computer equipment.

Officials say one of the suspects then ordered the family friend to fetch him a bottle of soda water from the refrigerator. The victim watched the man drink from the bottle before fleeing with the other suspects.

Investigators collected DNA found on the bottle and entered it into the Texas Department of Public Safety Combined DNA Index System Laboratory. The system matched it to Luevano, and he was charged in the crime.

Bail for Luevano has been set at $50,000.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Saturday, May 12, 2012

Homeowner shoots home invasion suspect

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A northwest Harris County homeowner shot a suspected robber Thursday morning during a violent home invasion. Now deputies are searching for two other suspects.

Investigators don't know if this was a planned home invasion or a random target. If it was random, they picked the wrong house.

The homeowner's girlfriend walked into the house but didn't lock the door. A few moments later, the door flew open, according to what she told investigators, and it wasn't the wind.

"Three black male suspects followed her into the house," said Lt. Jeff Stauber with the Harris County Sheriff's Office Theft Division. "She heard them coming up behind her."

The homeowner's 12-year-old son was in the home. Detectives said that one of three masked gunmen grabbed him. That's when the homeowner emerged from a bedroom with a gun of his own -- and used it.

Lt. Stauber said, "Fearing for his son's life, he fired a shot at one of the suspects and struck the suspect in the left shoulder."

All three suspects, including the one wounded in his shoulder, got away. He was dropped off at a hospital in Katy, where he was arrested. A photo spread was shown to the girlfriend and the boy at the scene.

Drug dogs were also brought in to search in cars near the house. The dog alerted, perhaps on residue. From these cars, at least, no drugs appear to have been found.

The suspect is now in the county jail. The search for his two companions continues.

At this point investigators say they don't know if this was a drug-related home invasion. The suspect in jail has been charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.

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


local, deborah wrigley

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Friday, May 11, 2012

Seaweed invasion fouls Galveston beaches

GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- There's something creeping up on the shores along the coast. We see it every year just in time for the arrival of summer tourists. Seaweed -- and lots of it.

Some residents say it's the worst they've ever seen, and in some cases, even large trees are washing up on the beach. The seaweed washing up on Galveston beaches has traveled a long way to get here, and it's not going away any time soon. Some visitors wonder why it's not cleared away.

Katheryn Nunnally made her first visit to a Galveston beach on Wednesday but what she found wasn't quite what she expected.

"It's a little off-putting," she said. "Our beach experience has been the panhandle of Florida, where you have the beautiful white sand and emerald beach."

This is just the season for Sargassum seaweed, says Kelly de Schaun, Executive Director of the Galveston Island Park Board. And there's more of it -- a lot more of it -- coming.

"The seaweed actually starts in the Sargasso Sea between Europe and the United States," de Schaun explained. "It travels down into the Caribbean and then up through the Gulf stream."

The park board will push the seaweed to the seawall, or the sand dunes to clean up the water's edge, but won't remove it entirely, saying it's an important part of the ecosystem. The seaweed protects the beaches and dunes from erosion and enriches the sand.

Folks who live on Galveston Island seem to take the Sargassum in stride.

"It really doesn't bother me much," said beach visitor Tyler Fletcher. "I mean, we're not setting up in the middle of it, you know?"

The waves will push the Sargassum onto Galveston beaches through the summer.

De Schaun said, "It seems to coincide, unfortunately, with our tourist season."

But for first-time visitors, it's still off-putting, although not enough to keep them away.

"If this is part of the ecosystem, this is what you have to, you know, accommodate," Nunnally said.

There are some beaches where the park board does not push the seaweed back. Those are designated natural areas. The beach along the seawall is probably the best maintained, because of the number of visitors.

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


galveston, local, adela uchida

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Friday, March 16, 2012

Man charged in home invasion attack where grandmother, small children were victimized

See it on TV? Check here.Ivan Jayasi, 22, is charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Ivan Jayasi, 22, is charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston grandmother was terrorized in her own home last week, and now a man is facing charges.

On March 6, the woman was at her home in the 900 block of Eubanks in north Houston with her two small grandchildren when two men wearing bandanas over their faces burst into the house. Court documents state that Ivan Jayasi, 22, grabbed the woman, while another man pointed a shotgun at her.

While the other man searched the house, Jayasi reportedly held the gun on the victim and her granddaughter. The woman told police that when the men didn't find what they were looking for, they ordered her and her grandchildren into a bathroom. After a time, they came out and the men were gone. They apparently stole only a suitcase containing a typewriter.

The victim told police she believed she recognized Jayasi as an acquaintance of her daughter and son-in-law. A neighbor who witnessed the men go into the home with a shotgun and bandanas over their faces identified him to police as well.

Jayasi is charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Bail has been set at $50,000.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Monday, January 23, 2012

HPD cruiser crashes en route to violent home invasion

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Two Houston police officers rushing to the scene of a violent home invasion in southeast Houston crashed their squad car into a light pole.

Investigators said the officers were on their way to a home invasion in progress where a woman was being assaulted when the accident happened.

Just before 10pm Saturday on 75th street near Erath, another vehicle pulled out in front of their squad car.

Investigators said the driving officer swerved to avoid hitting the other vehicle, but they hit a curb and lost control of the car.

The cruiser hit a tree and then crashed into a utility pole, splitting the pole in half.

According to investigators, the other driver did not stop.

The police unit was mangled and is out of commission with deployed airbags and flattened tires, but both officers walked away without injuries.

Other officers did make it to the home invasion scene. The victim had called 9-1-1 when she saw a strange man inside her home.

When police arrived at the home on Manchester near 77th Street, they say the man was caught assaulting the woman.

The suspect was arrested. There is no word yet on the extent of the victim's injuries.

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


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Monday, January 9, 2012

Resident opens fire during home invasion

Investigators say that two black male suspects are still at large. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers Investigators say that two black male suspects are still at large. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police say a man shot and killed a home invader overnight on Houston's south side.

According to police, three men tried to break into a home on Roandale at Dumore around 7pm Friday.

One of the residents shot and killed one of the suspected robbers. The other two got away.

Police believe that someone at the home is involved in drug activities.

Investigators are still searching for the other two suspects. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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


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Friday, December 30, 2011

Charges filed in deadly home invasion case

See it on TV? Check here.  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There are new details about a deadly home invasion from a couple weeks ago in west Harris County. Three people are now facing capital murder charges, but only one of the suspects is in custody.

Officials describe the murder of Russell Lopez in violent details, saying he was beaten to death with a hammer while his own children were in the house on December 20. The woman involved in Lopez's attack is behind bars, but two men are still on the loose.

On the front door of what had been the Lopez family home is a sign; a farewell message from friends to a neighbor killed in his house nine days ago. Two young children inside were tied up by intruders and the neighborhood hasn't been the same since.

"It's like really shocking, really sad. I never expected it," said neighbor Vivian Padron.

Now one of three people charged is in custody and in jail. Amber Thornton, 22, appeared in probable cause court Thursday morning.

"Miss Thornton... you are charged with capital murder," said the judge.

It was not, county detectives believe, a random robbery. According to a court document, Thornton says she and two others -- Tony Escobar and Joseph Facundo -- went to buy drugs from Lopez. The probable cause warrant states that Lopez's wife suspected he might have sold drugs, but never saw it.

Court documents go on to say that Thornton saw Facundo hit Lopez in the head with a hammer while Escobar tied Lopez's young son and niece to a bed, saying they were playing cops and robbers.

Investigators say Thornton told them she held Lopez's infant daughter while the house was ransacked. She saw the two teens load various pieces of property into Lopez's SUV and they fled the scene in the vehicle, which was later recovered two days after the murder in a nearby body of water on Morton View Dr.

Thornton told police Facundo and Escobar paid her money and told her "not to say anything."

According to the document, Lopez kept his drugs hidden in a false bottom in a kitchen cabinet -- a secret he kept from his family and his neighbors, and one that eventually cost him his life.

"We miss him and I feel bad for the kid cause he'd always knock on my door and see if I could come out," said young neighbor Irvin Chagoya.

Thornton is being held in Harris County Jail. No bond has been set.

Facundo, 18, and Escobar, 17, are also charged with capital murder, but they are still at large.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Facundo and Escobar is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Friday, December 23, 2011

Dad killed, children tied up during home invasion

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A home invasion near Katy has left a family without a father and a husband. Whoever killed Russell Lopez and tied up his two young children in their home is still at large.

It all happened at a duplex on Plantain near Deermoss in the Silver Mill subdivision in Katy just before 10pm Tuesday night.

There is a small memorial building outside the home where Lopez was killed. His friends tell Eyewitness News they're devastated and his family says they just want some answers.

"My son was taken from us way too early," said Lopez's mother, Cherie Duszynski. "My grandson had said that his dad wouldn't wake up."

It's been an emotional day for Duszynski and her family, huddled outside the house where deputies say a group of unknown people tied up her three grandchildren and murdered her son.

"Some animals came and had a plan and they executed it," said Duszynski. "The thought that we're never going to see him again is killing me right now."

Lopez's wife discovered the horrific scene at their home on Plaintain Drive when she arrived from work late Tuesday night. Investigators say the 31-year-old father was found in the kitchen covered in blood. The suspects left his 7-year-old son and 6-year-old niece bound in their bedroom. His 6-month-old baby was found safe in her crib.

"Five, six-year-old kids, to tie them up like that, it's unhuman," said his victim's uncle, Rick Lopez.

One neighbor told deputies she saw a couple of guys kicking in the family's door, then drive from the house in Lopez's black truck a short time later.

"The neighbor's little daughter was outside walking her dog and she saw two dudes kicking the guy's door and a couple of minutes later they burned off in his truck," said one neighbor.

The victim's close friend Omar Souheil told us Lopez had no enemies.

"That right there, that was a break-in. And this place here it's not uncommon to have break-ins," said Souheil.

For now, the victim's family is pleading with the public, hoping for answers that could lead to suspects.

"If you know of anybody that may talk about what they did, please don't keep it to yourself," said Duszynski. "We have to stop them. We have to get them before they do it to somebody else."

Deputies are now collecting evidence to try to track down the suspects while family members worry about the little ones who now have to live with what they saw.

"I was talking to his son earlier this morning after they released him from the police station," said Lopez. "He was playing his Gameboy and he was just kind of into that. He made a couple of comments about his dad and stuff but right now it is not affecting him just yet."

None of the children were hurt. Sheriff's deputies are speaking to the two older children to see what or who they may have seen.

Authorities have not confirmed any suspect's descriptions but believe they may have fled in the victim's black Chevy Tahoe with license plate 03S-HS6.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Harris County Sheriff's Office or Crime Stoppers.

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


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Saturday, December 10, 2011

Home invasion suspect arrested in Texas City

Devane Bernard Salters, 33, is charged with burglary of a habitation and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Devane Bernard Salters, 33, is charged with burglary of a habitation and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

  TEXAS CITY, TX (KTRK) -- A suspect wanted in a home invasion shooting from the weekend was arrested on Wednesday afternoon.

Texas City police officers went to the Mainland apartment complex just before 5pm on Wednesday. Devane Bernard Salters, 33, was spotted in a vehicle at the complex and arrested without incident.

Salters was wanted in connection with a home invasion that took place at about 10pm Sunday in the 10 block of 5th Street in Texas City. The homeowner was shot in the face with a handgun. There's no information on the victim's condition.

Salters is charged with burglary of a habitation and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Bond has been set at $300,000.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the crime should call Texas City Detective R. Johnson at 409-643-5837 or Mainland Crime Stoppers at 409-945-8477.

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Saturday, July 9, 2011

Three charged in Tomball home invasion

See it on TV? Check here.Christopher Fuller, 18, Jacolby Crichlow, 18, and Jonathan Gore, 18, have each been charged with four counts of aggravated robbery Christopher Fuller, 18, Jacolby Crichlow, 18, and Jonathan Gore, 18, have each been charged with four counts of aggravated robbery

  TOMBALL, TX (KTRK) -- Three men are accused of aggravated robbery in a home invasion in Tomball last month.

Tomball police say on June 27 at approximately 3am officers were dispatched to the Cobble Creek Apartments in the 900 block of Lawrence in reference to an aggravated robbery and home invasion in progress. Responding officers located the suspects and a vehicle in the parking lot, and as the officers made their initial approach to the vehicle, several black male suspects exited the vehicle and fled in multiple directions. After a brief search, police say the suspects were located, identified and transported to the Tomball Police Department. Two handguns were located in close proximity to the stolen vehicle the suspects had been in, as well as a second vehicle belonging to one of the suspects. Christopher Fuller, 18, Jacolby Crichlow, 18, and Jonathan Gore, 18, have each been charged with four counts of aggravated robbery and are currently incarcerated in the Harris County Jail and are under $120,000 bond each. Six additional suspects have been identified and additional aggravated robbery charges are expected to be filed in the near future. Anyone with information that could assist with the apprehension of the six additional members involved in the aggravated robbery/home invasion is encouraged to contact the Tomball Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Suspect in home invasion case re-arrested

See it on TV? Check here. HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There are new developments in the case of a man accused of a home invasion in which the homeowner was wrapped up in a blanket and left there for two days. The man is under arrest again and Eyewitness News was the only TV station there when he was getting booked again.

As soon as people heard that Erick Carranza was a free man posting bond, the Harris County Sheriff's Office started hearing about it from citizens because they were outraged. Meanwhile, Montgomery County authorities were preparing a warrant for his arrest. He was one month from completing probation, but now he's back in jail. "Mr. Carranza, do you want to say anything to the victim?" we asked Erick Carranza. But Carranza had nothing to say Thursday night as he headed to jail for the second time in four days. He was on probation for a theft out of Montgomery County. Now accused of a ruthless crime against a 76-year-old man, that probation has been yanked. "You just can't imagine someone doing this to someone's grandpa," Harris Co. Sheriff's Office Lt. Jeff Stauber said. According to investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Office, Carranza and Junior Velasquez, a man he had picked up at a day laborer's site, forced their way into the victim's home in northwest Harris County, bound his hands and feet with duct tape and wrapped him in a blanket. They stole guns, a vehicle, a trailer and left the man lying there -- for two days. Fearing death, he managed to roll out his back door and down a 100-yard-long driveway before a neighbor came to his rescue. The two suspects are charged with aggravated robbery and unlawful restraint causing serious bodily injury. Carranza made the $50,000 bond Wednesday. On Thursday night, as he wedged himself into the back of a patrol car, he remained silent. Investigators believe residents and the victim should feel relieved. "He (the victim) just had the concern that this guy was out and not knowing what could happen, so tonight, he can sleep well. We are going to contact him and let them know he's back in custody and that he don't have to worry," Stauber said. Montgomery County authorities have 10 days to come get Carranza for the probation violation charge. Investigators say Carranza, who is married, recruited the other guy to help carry out this crime because he was having money problems. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Friday, May 20, 2011

War vet severely beaten during home invasion

See it on TV? Check here. SOUTH HOUSTON, TX (KTRK) -- The home invasion that nearly killed a community leader has many in the city of South Houston worried there may be a growing crime problem there.

South Houston police say they've been busy as of late. They're investigating a drive-by shooting where two people were shot outside of a home, a fatal home invasion and now this home invasion. Thomas Mixon is a proud Marine and Korean War vet. He's the owner of Mixon's Memories Museum. We shot video of him in August 2009 when we interviewed him about a tribute he was creating to women in the military. "I see a lot of women and people don't realize what they go through," Mixon said during the 2009 interview. He's such an advocate for the city of South Houston and is so well known there that he is unofficially nicknamed "the mayor." So when the 79-year-old was beaten during a home invasion on Monday, family and friends took it hard. "The whole neighborhood is just in shock, and I won't open my door to anybody now," neighbor Marie Lacy said. Police are holding Charles Jacquard Turner on a $500,000 bond. He's charged with aggravated robbery. Police say Turner entered Mixon's home through an unlocked rear patio door and beat Mixon, causing serious injuries to Mixon's face and head. Turner allegedly ransacked a room, stole several weapons and fled in Mixon's truck. Investigators say Turner caused a disturbance earlier that day at a nearby T-Mobile store. He then stole a bike at a nearby apartment complex. That bike was found outside Mixon's home. An eyewitness identified Turner, telling police she'd seen him earlier in the day. "Was knocking on doors and I believe this particular witness did not open their door so he left that location and he ended up at Mr. Mixon's home," South Houston Police Department Police Chief Herbert Gilbert said. This man fears for the safety of his parents who live in the same neighborhood and are about the same age as Mixon. He says jail is too good for Turner. "This guys a lowlife scumbag that needs to be underneath the jail," neighbor Charles Rice. Mixon is at Memorial Hermann Hospital in ICU in critical condition. He spent most of Wednesday in surgery. A family spokesperson says every bone in his face is broken, but he'd want everyone to know he's surviving because he's one tough Marine. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Elderly man beaten in South Houston home invasion

Police in South Houston need your help to track down a suspect in a violent home invasion. These are stills from when police say the suspect was in a mobile phone store prior to the home invasion. Police in South Houston need your help to track down a suspect in a violent home invasion. These are stills from when police say the suspect was in a mobile phone store prior to the home invasion.

  SOUTH HOUSTON, TX (KTRK) -- Police in South Houston need your help to find a suspect in a violent home invasion.

On Monday, shortly after noon, a woman called South Houston Police to report that her husband was found badly beaten inside the couple's home in the 1100 block of Iowa.

The woman said her 79-year-old husband was lying in a pool of blood when she returned home, and appeared to have been beaten in the face, mouth and head. He was transported to Hermann Hospital for treatment.

Investigators believe the person responsible had entered the home through a back patio door and encountered the resident. Police say the suspect beat the victim before ransacking a room, getting away with several weapons and the victim's car keys. The suspect then took off in the victim's pickup truck.

An investigation led police to believe the suspect in the home invasion was the same person captured earlier in the day on surveillance video at a T-Mobile store along the Gulf Freeway and College Avenue in Houston. They say police were called after the suspect caused a disturbance there.

Police say the suspect left the store and stole a bicycle nearby. That bicycle was the same one found in the driveway of the home invasion suspect. A neighbor of the home invasion suspect also tells police she recognized the suspect in the photos as someone who tried to get into her house before moving on to the victim's.

The suspect is described as a black male with a slim build, wearing a red t-shirt, blue jeans, white and silver belt. The victim's pickup has not been recovered. The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.

If you have information in this case, you're asked to call South Houston police at 713-944-1910.

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


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Friday, April 22, 2011

Suspect arrested in deadly home invasion

 Theodore Estrello is charged with capital murder in the home invasion murder of Sergio Blas, Jr.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police have made an arrest in the deadly home invasion case that left a father dead while his young daughter hid in another room.

The South Houston Police Department arrested Theodore Estrello and charged him with capital murder. Estrello was identified through a photo lineup by a witness.

Police say Estrello and an accomplice were involved in a home invasion on Thursday, April 14, in the 1600 block of Spencer in South Houston. The two suspects murdered Sergio Blas, Jr., 29, while his two-year-old daughter was in the other room.


The victim's wife returned home from dropping children off at school to discover his body bound with some type of cord, dead in the living room. Their daughter was unhurt, hiding under blankets in a back bedroom.


If anyone has information on the second suspect, they're asked to call South Houston Police Department at 713-944-1910 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)


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