About two weeks ago, I got a late night call from my girlfriend telling me that there were two strange guys knocking at her door. I'm glad I told her not to answer, because I read this article in the paper today. Be careful!!!! Home invasions spark alerts By PEGGY O'HARE Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle PARTIAL LIST Here is a partial list of the 21 addresses where the home invasions occurred: • 9800 block Meadowglen • 3000 block Shadowbriar • 3000 block Ranchester • 9800 block Town Park • 10300 block Harwin • 9200 block Bellwood • 300 block Wilcrest • 800 block Country Place • 2800 block Hayes • 4400 block Westheimer The terror begins simply, with a knock on the door. Sometimes the unexpected visitors say nothing. Other times they deliberately mumble so they can't be understood. When the door is opened, the results are frightening and violent, including not just robbery but also sometimes rape. The scenario has become so frequent and familiar at west Houston apartments -- 21 times since May -- that the Houston Police Department now believes they are related and is putting out alerts in the area. "At this point, awareness is going to play a big part in stopping this," said Kathy Clem, president of The Houston Apartment Association, which is sending e-mails and "action alerts" about the crime spree to its members today. The association represents about 450,000 units. The invasions follow a familiar pattern. Once the two intruders storm their way inside, they force victims to lie face down on the floor and tie them up with phone cords ripped from the walls. Homes are then ransacked. The robbers take computers, phones, jewelry and cash. One man usually stays with their captives while the other drives a victim's car to a bank to withdraw cash, using stolen bank and credit cards. Three women -- all home alone -- have been sexually assaulted by both men, police said. The intruders never strike at the same complex twice, but have worked in a vast area that's bounded by the West Loop and west to Dairy Ashford and from the Katy Freeway south to West Bellfort. They have targeted an almost equal number of men and women. How they have escaped notice while walking apartment grounds carrying a shotgun police can't explain. Most of the crimes have occurred between 9 and 11 p.m. The latest victim was attacked and raped Sunday in the 3000 block of Shadowbriar, while another rape occurred Sept. 10 in the 1800 block of Barker Cypress. The third rape victim was attacked in July in the 5900 block of Ranchester. "It's pretty random," said Houston Police Department robbery investigator Tien Nguyen. "They just walk through the apartment complex and pick out their victims. If they see somebody walking or coming home, they'll give them a few minutes and knock on the doors. I don't think they're singling any one (type of) person out." Apartment residents can take some simple steps, police say. "Don't answer your door if you don't know who's on the other side," said Sgt. David Ryza, of the HPD robbery division. In almost every case, he said, victims willingly opened their doors. "In some cases, they asked who it was, and it was just a mumble, so they opened the door to hear them better," Ryza said. In addition to producing composite sketches of both men, police have obtained surveillance photos showing one with a towel wrapped over his head, trying to use a stolen credit card at an ATM on Aug. 30. The man is wearing a jersey bearing a logo of the St. Louis Browns -- an American League baseball team that played from 1902 to 1953 -- and the number 17. Anyone who recognizes the men is asked to call the HPD Robbery Division at 713-308-0700 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
Good thing she didn't open the door! Does she live in W. Houston? Allright, now I have one thing to question: Now, ummmm, okay why?!?!??! That has nothing to do, nothing to add, and it's just pointless. Obviously some sports writer pitched in for fun. If I ever came across a guy wearing '17,' I would take Elie down to the ground.
This is not pointless! Far from. If he played for the Browns in 1953 as a rookie, then he is at least 68 years old. Elementary, my dear Mooch.
Actually, that's got to be a rare shirt. Might be a good idea to be wary of anyone wearing a shirt of that discription.
I don't know, haven. A lot of sporting goods stores, at least in Nashville are selling "retro" hats, jerseys, etc. I bought a red Red Sox fitted cap (like the one that they wore in the '70s) about a year ago, and of course, I never wear it. However, I do feel that there aren't gonna be many people walking around with retro Browns jerseys on, so it is rare in that sense.
That's why you have guns. Simple as that. When I was in college my wife and I lived in an apartment off campus. We heard someone trying to jimmy our lock at 2 am, which led me to the entirely logical conclusion that they were not paying a courtesy call. I cocked my Mossberg loud enough for them to hear through the door and I chased them into the woods.
Ha ha. You are just counting the days until I start a thread during the World Series that says "YEEEEEEEEE-HIIIIIIIII, YANKEES SUCK!!!!!", aren't you, Pimp?
That's why I don't open the door unless I know who it is. Seen too many whackos already in my short lifetime.
gee, that's funny. None of them stood out as hardcore drug addicts/ stalkers / women beaters. I guess appearances are decieving. No wonder you have so much trouble meeting women Manny. nyuk nyuk.
Heh my college buddy I visit sometimes keeps a katana wedged between the front door of his apartment and the wall behind it for security purposes. Then he has two others in his room by his bed. Those things are crazy as can be.
There ain't many woods left 'round here. You wouldn't believe it when you saw that many more apartments are being built (well, off campus near Bryant Drive, that is). There are quite a number of rapes in that area too nowadays.
Glad I own a house instead of live in an apartment. However, no matter where you live, it is always a good idea to never open your door if you do not know who it is. I practice what I preach.
