An 18-year-old in north Harris County says a stranger climbed onto his second-floor balcony without using a ladder, made a motion that looked like he was pointing a gun, then bolted through the complex before deputies caught up with a suspect. The resident, Gage Price, told reporters he chased the man through the property until the intruder stopped at a fence opening. The incident unfolded at an apartment complex on Ella Boulevard near Kuykendahl, and has Price now planning to move out.
As reported by KTRK, Price said his motion-activated doorbell did not alert him until the man was already on the balcony railing, and that a friend first spotted the intruder around 1 a.m. Friday. "It's really scary knowing that I'm here alone and then my closest family is 14 hours away from me," Price told the station. Deputies later arrested a suspect and charged him with aggravated robbery, according to authorities.
How the suspect got up
Surveillance video reviewed by KTRK shows the man hanging from the balcony railing for several seconds before dropping what looks like a rope or "jump pack," climbing down and sprinting through the complex with Price in pursuit. Price said the man turned, yelled in Spanish and made a pointing motion that he believed was a gun, which sent the teen retreating to his car to call 911. The station published video of both the climb and Price’s account of the chase.
Patrols and recent incidents nearby
The complex sits in a north Harris County stretch that has already seen its share of flashing lights. In late February, a short pursuit ended with a crash on Kuykendahl Road, according to Click2Houston. Last year, FOX26 Houston reported on a shooting at an Ella Boulevard apartment complex that led to multiple arrests. Neighbors say recurring disturbances and break-ins have some residents increasingly anxious about security.
What residents can do
Tenants who spoke with local reporters say they want brighter lighting, working security gates, and clearer communication from property managers after incidents like break-ins and this latest balcony scare. Officials urge residents to preserve any video evidence, call 911 for crimes in progress, and use non-emergency lines to report suspicious activity when it is safe to do so. Property managers and constable offices typically have systems in place to receive and share surveillance footage with investigators.
Legal implications
Aggravated robbery is treated as a serious offense under Texas law. Under Texas Penal Code Sec. 29.03, a robbery is elevated when a deadly weapon is used or someone suffers serious bodily injury, which makes it a first-degree felony. The specific elements and penalties are detailed in the Texas statutes. An ICE hold can also affect a suspect’s custody status and potential release while federal immigration procedures move forward.
Price said the incident was the final straw and that he plans to leave the complex. Investigators have not released a possible motive. Anyone who witnessed the encounter or has video is asked to contact the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office or Crime Stoppers.
