Multiple breaker boxes stolen from homes in Tomball, causing power outages, according to Pct. 4

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Homes in a Tomball neighborhood experienced power outages not because of severe weather or equipment issues, but because of stolen breaker boxes.

According to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office, multiple homes were targeted in the Braemar Village subdivision.

"It was out of the blue. Shocking," resident Carl Soderberg said. "They went in and somehow removed the breaker boxes."

Soderberg's home was not targeted, but he said the situation prompted him to take extra precautions by adding a lock to his breaker box.

Pct. 4 said they are currently investigating multiple criminal mischief incidents at the subdivision, after multiple residents reported their electrical boxes had been damaged and circuit breaker switches had been stolen.

"I was coming back from the store, and there were police everywhere," Soderberg said.

Soderberg said on Sunday that he saw law enforcement in the area talking with residents and looking at the side of homes.

"Asked my neighbor, who's out in his yard, 'Hey, what's going on?' And he said, 'Yeah, they seem to have targeted all the for-sale houses and the rental properties where there's nobody living right now,'" Soderberg said.

ABC13 counted at least eight homes hit by the breaker box thefts.

An electrician making repairs in the subdivision said it'll cost roughly about $2,500.

ABC13 reached out to the constable's office and asked about any potential suspects and why someone would steal this in the first place.

Because of the Memorial Day holiday, an official said they'd follow up with ABC13's request on Tuesday.

"Hope that we can find these people because obviously we do not want people messing with our houses and getting rid of our electricity," Soderberg said.