HOUSTON — Units at Boone Manor near The Museum District go for as much as $4,000 per month, but you can’t put a price on security.
"There’s key fobs, there’s concierge, there’s outside cameras,” resident Caroline Buchalter said.
That’s why she was shocked when she got a motion notification last Thursday afternoon from her Nest camera.
"And I saw two men breaking into my apartment pretty much in real-time," Buchalter said.
The video shows the men looking into her home office before peeking into a bedroom where one of them possibly got spooked by a camera.
"You kind of have this like white-hot fear that washes over you when you watch somebody in your home," Buchalter said. "And there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Nothing was stolen from her apartment, however, the Houston Police Department confirmed three other units were hit in the same building on the very same day. In one case, the burglars got away with a small safe.
"We have a lot of residents who are really concerned for their safety and they’re moving out," resident Jordan Soto said. "And I’m one of them.”
It’s a similar story at The Sovereign on West Dallas. That's where HPD confirmed three units were burglarized a day after the break-ins at Boone Manor.
"Like, how are they just walking out with a laundry basket of these things?” victim Jennifer Bergmark said.
Bergmark lost a laundry basket along with purses, jewelry and family heirlooms. She didn't have a Nest or Ring camera but a neighbor caught one of the possible suspects in the hallway.
"Really, it’s not about the monetary value, it’s the sentiment," Bergmark said. "And it’s frustrating that someone would come into your home and seem to sift through your personals.”
Victims believe the crooks knocked to make sure no one was home before breaking in but they wonder what might happen if someone other than a pet is inside the next time.
“I really hope someone can recognize them and bring them to justice because it’s not OK,” Buchalter said.
While cases from each building are likely connected, it’s unclear if the same suspects hit both buildings. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers.
Neither building commented on the break-ins but said residents did get emails about the incidents.