Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

'Wasn't their first rodeo' | Tree trimming burglary scam spreads from Houston to Dallas
KHOU ^ | January 3, 2024 | Marcelino Benito

Posted on 01/03/2024 6:18:45 PM PST by nickcarraway

Thieves posing as tree trimmers to burglarize homes in the Houston area are now targeting families in Dallas.

The most recent victims were convinced to open the door -- and it cost them thousands of dollars.

Dick and Mary Barr were hit on Saturday. They were able to connect with Keli Rabon, the victim KHOU 11 News profiled in Houston after the thieves hit her house. Since our story aired last month, 12 victims have come forward and investigators believe there are likely many more.

It's very well choreographed, and it clearly wasn't their first rodeo," Mary Barr said.

The whole incident was caught on their home surveillance cameras. Dick Barr agreed to meet the fake tree trimmer outside. While he was kept busy, his partner in a hat tried walking right through the front door. It was locked but he quickly changed course and went toward the back.

"He walked in the patio, through my backdoor, and my son is in the house," Mary said. "He still doesn't leave."

The suspect headed right for the master bedroom -- leaving a mess behind as he rifled through Mary's closet.

(Excerpt) Read more at khou.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: crime; houston; scam; texas; theft

1 posted on 01/03/2024 6:18:45 PM PST by nickcarraway
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

That’s a good way to get shot in Texas.


2 posted on 01/03/2024 6:24:32 PM PST by ought-six (Multiculturalism is national suicide, and political correctness is the cyanide capsule. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

So much involved and risked for so little gain and so many felonies per crime.

Seems like a lot of trouble for the money.


3 posted on 01/03/2024 6:28:37 PM PST by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Gotta tell my friend in Houston.


4 posted on 01/03/2024 6:43:59 PM PST by HighSierra5 (The only way you know a commie is lying is when they open their pieholes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

The warning signs for all these types of scams is making you think you’re getting a deal.

From pool sharks to card sharps (e.g., 3-card monte), the sucker is convinced they’re going to come out ahead.


5 posted on 01/03/2024 6:49:14 PM PST by P.O.E. (Pray for America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Did they have a bucket truck, chainsaws etal?


6 posted on 01/03/2024 6:53:49 PM PST by cgbg ("Our democracy" = Their Kleptocracy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Tree trimmers in Texas or anywhere else for that matter. Never mind Mexican, I’m thinking South Americans.


7 posted on 01/03/2024 7:16:05 PM PST by lewislynn ( Trump accomplished more for America in one 4yr term than any President in your lifetime)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Do tree trimmers bring their own tinsel and ornaments?


8 posted on 01/03/2024 7:46:33 PM PST by Lisbon1940 (I don’t see why they would)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lewislynn

Irish travelers.


9 posted on 01/03/2024 7:47:10 PM PST by nickcarraway
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

The smart ones around here were the dudes from Dallas who targeted Asians for home invasion burglaries. Likely to have gold, unlikely to have guns. They finally caught them, but it’s a lot smarter that picking on long time Texans.


10 posted on 01/03/2024 7:59:21 PM PST by PAR35
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

This is why we have a “No Soliciting” sign on the front door and why I answer the door with my Model 870 in hand when the sign is ignored.


11 posted on 01/03/2024 8:10:55 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (The worst thing about censorship is █████ ██ ████ ████████ █ ███████ ████. FJB.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

I am totally perimeter fenced.

I have 3 gates-—2 of which are chained & padlocked all the time. Main gate is chained.

ALL GATES have NO TRESPASSING signs on them.


12 posted on 01/04/2024 4:50:09 AM PST by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

I find that coming to the door with my shotgun, a smile, and an immediate, friendly preemptive “I’m not interested”, gets excellent results.


13 posted on 01/04/2024 5:37:57 AM PST by Codeflier (A Don't worry....be happy )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ought-six

And in my house in PA, too.


14 posted on 01/04/2024 8:23:49 AM PST by Carriage Hill (A society grows great when old men plant trees, in whose shade they know they will never sit.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: P.O.E.

“hard to cheat an honest man”


15 posted on 01/04/2024 8:29:32 AM PST by going hot (Happiness is a Momma Deuce)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson