There are eight stores in thief shopping center located off the Gulf Freeway and police say half of them have been hit by the same guy.
Authorities say the man they are looking for is responsible for burglarizing those eight businesses over the last eight months, hitting some stores twice, and doing some $4,000 in damage.
"They seem to be targeting these businesses during the times they're closed -- early in the morning between four and six in the morning. And he's prying the doors open or breaking the plate glass windows in front of the businesses so he's causing a significant amount of damage," said Houston Police Capt. Robert Manzo.
Police say the suspect broke into Vanessa's Liquor store; destroyed computers and surveillance video equipment at a James Coney Island; stole two plasma TVs from the lobby of Southern Dental; and tried to get into a T-Mobile, but was stopped by the burglar bars on the windows.
"The door was open, the glass was all over the floor," said Chris Carbajal, owner of La Michocana.
He says the suspect hit La Michocana as well, stealing hundreds of dollars from their iTunes jukebox.
"The first time, the second time they broke the back door. That's why we changed the lock," said Carbajal.
Now police are plastering a surveillance photo across the city hoping it, along with a large tattoo on the suspect's forearm, will lead someone to turn him in.
"We want this person to spend the upcoming holidays in a jail cell," said Capt. Manzo.
Police describe the suspect as a black man in his 30s, about 6 feet tall with a bald head, and a trimmed mustache and beard. He also has a large tattoo on the inside of his right forearm.
Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.
