KPRC-TV News Houston
Home invasion attackers posed as law enforcement officers when they knocked on the door of a southwest apartment to rob it, officials told News2Houston.
When the resident opened the door at 4 p.m. Thursday, three men burst their way inside at the Santa Barbara Apartments, 9955 Club Creek Drive.
The victim said at least one of the men wore a blue shirt with patches on it.
“One of them appeared to be wearing what appeared to be a Houston Police shirt, so she thought it was OK to open the door,” said officer Jim Babb, with the Houston Police Department.
The woman, who was alone inside the second-story apartment, was tied up and robbed.
“One of the males put a gun to her head. They ended up tying her up. She wasn’t physically injured, obviously (she was) emotionally affected,” Babb said.
The robbers escaped with computer equipment and other items.
Neighbors have been worried about their safety in the area.
“I always hear something dangerous. Every week, there’s something happening,” said Josh Ortiz, a resident. “They don’t have any security over here.”
Other residents said they would also have opened the door if they thought a police officer was knocking.
“We have kids, and what if one day they come knocking on our door. I mean, I don’t know what to do,” a resident said.
“We’re thinking about moving now. We were thinking about it before, but now this really opened our eyes a lot more,” said Mary Garzia, a resident.