Suspects Use Heavy Equipment to Break into Storage Container at Texas Shopping Center

Retail businesses and commercial properties in Texas, like many others across the US and Canada, have been grappling with a concerning rise in theft and break-ins, posing significant challenges to both property owners and operators. Watch how live video monitoring helped foil the plans of two Texas suspects in this Arrest of the Month video: 

At approximately 12:45 am, Stealth security professionals monitoring a Texas shopping center observed two individuals forcibly accessing a storage container behind the buildings using the property’s heavy equipment that had been onsite. Security staff immediately activated onsite speakers and contacted local police dispatch, who sent officers to respond onsite quickly. One of the suspects escaped immediate capture at the time, while the second, who was hidden in the container, was placed under arrest. 

Brazen Commercial Property Theft: An Ongoing Threat  

The impact of these incidents extends far beyond the immediate financial losses associated with stolen goods or property damage. A study by the National Retail Federation revealed that the average cost of a single burglary incident for a small business in Texas can exceed $20,000, factoring in lost inventory, repairs, and potential legal fees. This financial burden can prove crippling for many small enterprises, leading to potential closures or job losses. 

Local news outlets have been documenting this disturbing trend, highlighting the brazen nature of some of these crimes, as also clearly exemplified above. In Houston, a group of thieves was caught on camera smashing through the front doors of a jewelry store and making off with millions of dollars’ worth of merchandise. In another recent incident, roughly $30K in supplies and equipment was stolen from a Houston-based fencing business. Business leaders in Fort Worth gathered in November of 2023 to report their challenges in handling increased vandalism and theft in recent years, with one man saying he’d experienced more incidents in one month than the last three years combined.  

Law enforcement agencies across the state have been working diligently to combat this surge in criminal activity, implementing various strategies such as increased patrols, task forces, and community outreach programs. However, many business owners have also taken proactive measures to enhance their security, investing in advanced surveillance systems, reinforced entry points, and even hiring private security firms. 

Stealth Monitoring: Redefining Security with Proactive Solutions 

Traditional security systems have traditionally operated in a reactive way, waiting for a trigger to sound an alarm and alert authorities after criminals have already breached your premises. This approach often results in false alarms, delayed response times, and a greater opportunity for perpetrators to evade capture, leaving businesses vulnerable to substantial losses. 

At Stealth Monitoring, we challenge this reactive mindset by adopting a proactive approach to live monitoring and surveillance. Our highly trained staff actively monitor key areas of your property, enabling us to help prevent crimes before they occur. We don’t wait for alarms; we can vigilantly watch for and evaluate suspicious activity in real time. Our skilled operators can swiftly engage with unwanted trespassers through strategically placed speakers, typically deterring them from proceeding further, as they are unaware they are being actively monitored. When warnings alone are not enough to scare off determined criminals, we can promptly alert law enforcement with live updates on suspicious or illegal activity, often before they can successfully break in or cause damage. 

Tired of the tedious and time-consuming task of sifting through video footage? Stealth Monitoring offers a dedicated video review department that meticulously analyzes relevant cameras to provide concise summaries of recorded incidents, complete with related police report data, if available. Our customized reporting services can save our clients’ valuable time and resources while ensuring they have access to critical video evidence. 

By leveraging cutting-edge technology and highly skilled personnel, Stealth Monitoring redefines the security landscape, offering proactive solutions that can help to safeguard your assets, mitigate risks, and provide evidence in the event of a criminal or legal request.  

Ready to learn more? Contact us today and speak with a commercial retail and shopping center security specialist for details and a no-obligation quote. 

Texas Private Security License Number: B14187
California Alarm Operator License Number: ACO7876
Florida Alarm System Contractor I License Number: EF20001598
Tennessee Alarm Contracting Company License Number: 2294
Virginia Private Security Services Business License Number: 11-19499
Alabama Electronic Security License # 002116
Canada TSBC License: LEL0200704