A door-smashing burglar with a handgun is prowling Fort Worth apartment complexes in broad daylight, and police say someone in the city almost certainly knows who he is.
Fort Worth police are asking residents to help identify a man investigators say has been breaking into apartment units across the city during daytime hours. Surveillance video from at least one unit shows the suspect smashing a sliding glass door, rifling through rooms, and stuffing items into a backpack while armed. Officers said the images are clear enough that someone in the community should recognize him.
As reported by FOX 4, the footage captured the man carrying a handgun while he searched a unit, and police released several still photos to viewers, asking for tips. Detectives told the station the burglar has hit multiple apartment complexes and typically operates between about 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., when residents are most likely away at work. Investigators say the suspect gains entry by smashing sliding glass doors, then exits through the front door after filling a backpack with stolen items.
"They're great, clear pictures," Officer Buddy Calzada told FOX 4, adding that "you can definitely fortify those, but he’s breaking right through them." Calzada and investigators say they want tips before this escalates and someone is hurt. Police have urged anyone who recognizes the man to come forward with information.
How To Protect Your Home
Police recommend strengthening sliding doors with a secondary lock or security bar, keeping patio areas well-lit, and saving any footage from home cameras in case investigators need it. The department also encourages residents and businesses to register surveillance systems so footage can be requested quickly; the Fort Worth Police Department camera registry is available online. Renters should alert property managers about repeated break-ins and consider adding visible deterrents like motion lights and signage.
How To Report Tips
Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to contact Fort Worth Police Detective Dunn at 817-392-4222. If a crime is in progress, call 911 immediately. The department's main contact information is listed on the Fort Worth Police Department website for anyone who wants to provide video or other evidence.
FOX 4 aired the appeal in its Trackdown segment; police say community-sourced leads are often the key to quickly identifying suspects in these kinds of cases. Investigators ask residents to preserve any relevant footage and contact detectives rather than posting images publicly so tips can be vetted and used in the investigation.
