Heights area business owner says he doesn’t have confidence HPD will find store burglars

In Houston, Texas (KTRK) – Despite being under the watchful eyes of security cameras, bold thieves managed to infiltrate a business in Independence Heights without hesitation. The targeted establishment, Drape Stage Productions, owned by Alex Berrospe, fell victim to the brazen burglary. Berrospe, who has operated the events company for 12 years, highlighted the escalating crime rate in the area, despite the presence of a nearby Houston Police Department substation.

On March 24, surveillance footage captured two individuals entering the premises during daylight hours, their faces clearly visible to the camera. Within minutes, they emerged from the building carrying a safe, along with stolen checks and a credit card. The video footage also showed one of the suspects conducting a brief surveillance check before the theft, indicating a calculated approach to the crime.

Berrospe expressed his frustration and dismay at the incident, emphasizing the emotional toll of witnessing his hard work being taken away without regard. He lamented that neighboring businesses were also grappling with similar criminal activities, including car break-ins and thefts.

Amidst concerns about rising crime rates and the efficacy of law enforcement response, Berrospe is relying on the Houston Police Department to apprehend the perpetrators. However, the department’s recent revelation about the suspension of over 261,000 incident reports since 2016 due to staffing shortages has raised doubts about the timely resolution of such cases.

According to data obtained by 13 Investigates, over 57,000 burglary and robbery reports have been suspended due to staffing constraints since 2017. Despite Chief Troy Finner’s announcement that officers would no longer use the suspension code, victims like Berrospe remain apprehensive about the lack of adequate police presence and resources to combat crime effectively.

ABC13 reached out to HPD for further information on the investigation. While the department confirmed possession of the surveillance footage and indicated that the property and financial crimes unit would conduct follow-up, details about the assignment of an investigator to the case remained unclear.

Individuals with any information regarding the burglary are urged to contact the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers through various channels, including phone, online tips, or the Crime Stoppers mobile app.