Neighbors in Leawood are telling us they've been on high alert since several homes in their subdivision have been broken into.
Their vigilance worked Monday when they spotted something strange. Police say two thieves were seen breaking into a house on Bexley.
"My neighbor, he called me and said somebody is breaking in the house, and then we called the police," homeowner Elias Romero said.
Romero was at work and learned his wife had just left the house to run errands when neighbors reported spotting two strange men roaming around in his back yard.
Police said neighbors called 911 after the thieves ripped the patio screens and broke several windows to gain entry into and ransack the house.
"It's just a mess in the house," Romero said.
Officers rushed to the neighborhood, saying this area's been the target of a rash of recent daytime burglaries.
Eyewitnesses said one man tried bailing out of the front door as police were arriving. Meanwhile, his alleged accomplice ran out the back.
"It's real frustrating," neighbor Jack Holt said. "I think the boys got what they deserve coming to them. I seen one come running out the house. I seen the police; they got him right down the street right there."
A 21-year-old man is in custody. As officers continue looking for the second burglar, Romero and his family said they're left with a lot of clean-up and tough decisions.
"Now, probably we have to move from this neighborhood," Romero said.
Police believe the burglars were looking for money and jewelry, but they didn't get away with anything. It's unclear whether these suspects could be tied to other recent burglaries in the area.
The second suspect was last seen running toward Beechnut. Anyone with information on this crime can call Houston police or Crime Stoppers.
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