Mesquite police are hunting a burglar who has targeted residents at a senior living facility near Interstate 30.
The suspect has struck at least three times at the same location. Authorities worry the crimes could escalate if the burglar encounters a resident during a break-in. The victims are particularly vulnerable due to age and health conditions.
Security footage from the Evergreen at Mesquite Senior Living Center at 5651 Northwest Dr. shows a black male with short hair and a light beard. He wore a green jumpsuit and red gloves during the incidents.
Detective Caleb Parker said the video quality is affected by partial obstruction from a plant.
“It’s a short video that depicts the male walking from a bedroom back into the main living area of an apartment,” Parker explained, per Fox 4 KDFW.
The detective expressed concern about the suspect’s choice of victims.
“A lot of these people may be sickly or have some ailments, not able to leave their apartments very often,” he said.
So far, no residents were home during the burglaries. Parker fears that could change.
“The next thing I don’t want is for somebody to be home when this occurs, and we’re in a much, much worse situation than we are right now,” the detective warned.
Facebook user Rhonda Lows, who stated that she worked at the senior living facility, noted that the senior residents are afraid to leave their apartments.
“He’s not old enough to live there, and he’s not a homeless person. Probably a relative of someone there,” she speculated about the burglar, adding, “They do have security walking the property now.”
Police believe someone will recognize the suspect despite the limited footage. They’re asking anyone with information to contact Detective Parker at 972-216-6712 or email [email protected].
