HOUSTON, TX – A late-night search is underway for a burglar who was caught on camera targeting businesses on Houston’s west side. Surveillance footage from a Smoothie King franchise reveals a man smashing his way into the store with a sledgehammer earlier this week.
Store owner Darrell Mathis, who opened the North Eldridge Parkway location in August, shared the video, hoping someone might recognize the suspect. The footage shows the man failing to disguise his face as he breaks through the front window.
For Mathis, a small business owner dependent on his earnings, the incident is a significant setback. “Five hundred dollars is not a little bit,” he said, emphasizing the impact on his finances.
The security video captures the intruder entering the store, ripping out cash drawers, and leaving his phone behind. In a twist of events, he returned to retrieve the device before fleeing the scene.
The Smoothie King wasn’t the only target; the nail salon next door was also hit. This marks the third burglary for the salon in a decade, prompting them to stop storing cash on-site five years ago.
Mathis plans to adopt a similar policy, acknowledging the risks of complacency. “The one time I get lazy, something like this happens,” he reflected.
Authorities from the Precinct 5 Constable’s Office are actively searching for the suspect. They’ve released frozen images from the video, urging the public to help identify the man before he strikes again.