After multiple break-ins and robberies near 35th and Sweetwater avenues, including one over the Thanksgiving weekend, a family is fed up.
Joseph Xavier told ABC15 his parent’s home and their vehicles have been broken into several times. One of the break-ins included the theft of his father’s tools, worth $7,000, from a truck.
"It's saddening that people don't have the respect they use to have," said Marisela Palomo, the wife of the victims whose vehicles have kept being targeted.
Sick and tired of the car break-ins, she decided to install some cameras.
"We decided this wasn't going to happen to us again," Palomo said. "If it does, we will make sure we know who it is."
They got a clear image as the suspect went through their cars, even checking out the work van.
Shantelle Leonard also fell victim. Her car and garage were also broken into. But when the burglar targeted her, the suspect also let her dog out of the backyard.
"My dog got out and was hit by a car near 35th Avenue and Thunderbird," said Leonard.
The 7-year-old dog got severe road rash, but is fine now. She said it hurts when the bad guy starts to target their family members.
"To have this low-life do this to us hurts," said Leonard.
Neighbors said the suspect looks like he knows what he's doing.
Xavier has spoken to several in his parent’s community who say they’ve also been hit. Some have noticed their backyard gates were opened, which resulted in several dogs, just like Leonards', being let out of yards.
Xavier is encouraging everyone in the neighborhood to keep their eyes peeled “for little things that seem out of the ordinary.”
