Veteran HCSO sergeant accused of stealing millions from Highland Village Shopping Center

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A 17-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff's Department is now in jail, accused of stealing millions of dollars from his extra job running security at the Highland Village Shopping Center.

Sergeant William Vides is facing three counts of forgery and one count of theft. Court records indicate that they originated from his tenure as head of security operations at Highland Village, spanning approximately 2021 to 2023.

Highland Village is located in the heart of River Oaks, and is home to a number of upscale stores. Court records show Harder Barbouti, head of the Highland Village development, is listed as the complainant in the theft case.

"Highland Village management, they allege, according to them, you were using forged checks from several different witnesses and complainants, and they allege you were using these checks to embezzle money in the millions of dollars," read a magistrate judge during Sgt. Vides' initial appearance in probable cause court.

During that appearance, Sgt. Vides confirmed he's still an employee of the Harris County Sheriff's Department, even as he sits in jail. HCSO confirms that Vides was relieved of duty in December of 2024, long after a civil lawsuit was filed against him in Fort Bend County.

The civil case was filed by Highland Village in 2023, alleging that during his time running security operations, Vides embezzled more than $4 million.

In court documents, attorneys for Highland Village accuse Vides of claiming he worked more overtime than there were hours in a day, and forging various checks to put money in his own pocket.

The man who spent more than 17 years at the sheriff's office could now face years behind bars.

Nobody would come to the door at the Vides family home in Rosenberg, but neighbors told ABC13 they knew he worked as a sheriff's deputy, and also owned rental properties in the area. In the civil lawsuit, Highland Village is also seeking to get their hands on some of the homes and properties owned by Vides.

ABC13 contacted the civil attorneys for Vides and Highland Village, neither replied back to us as of Tuesday evening.

Vides' bond is set at $100,000 for the theft charge, and $15,000 each for the three forgery charges.

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