Burglars repeatedly target small businesses in Spring

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Business owners in northwest Harris County are fed up with intruders smashing their way into their businesses and taking whatever they can get their hands on.

An entire strip center in the Spring area has become the repeated target of burglars, as every few weeks they hit a new business, even striking some locations multiple times.

Cell phone photos show what Carlene Jackson found as she arrived to her Spring business last Friday morning, discovering her front door shattered.

"When I came in that day, everything in the top desk drawer had been broken out," Jackson recalled. "It was all lying on the floor. They totally took it off."

Burglars simply kicked in the glass door and made their way in searching for cash. Once deputies arrived to investigate, the strip center was a bit familiar to them. At least four other businesses on Louetta have also been burglarized in the last few weeks.

Two doors down, in the Hot Nails Salon and Spa, a wall is now bare where a flat screen TV once hung.

"They ripped off the TV and there is a middle table right there, they were trying to push it to the side and rip that TV off, but I guess the alarm went off and they ran off," said Tracy Tran.

Weeks before, a few more doors down, the New American Donut Café was the target.

"Throw the cash register, both register to the floor, and they make a mess and they open everything," said Srent Katna.

Since then, the café owners have installed surveillance cameras.

These small business owners hope the thieves are caught as they push to move forward.

Jackson said, "We struggle just to keep everything going enough to keep the lights on and get our members in here and make repairs."

Officers have dusted for fingerprints, but have no solid leads at his point. As for business owners, they are no longer keeping money in their stores.

Find Erik on Facebook at ABC13ErikBarajas or on Twitter at @ErikBarajas13

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.

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