DALLAS — 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.
"He took every piece of jewelry he could get his hands on," Mary said.
He was out in less than 12 minutes. The fake tree trimmer scurried away after that.
"I didn't know anything had gone wrong until I went into our bedroom and saw this mess in her closet," Dick said.
The Barrs later realized the suspects had been seen knocking on other doors in their neighborhood earlier that day. Investigators told KHOU 11 News it's the same guys who targeted Keli in Houston.
"Everybody needs to know these faces and they need to know their MO, until they are stopped, they won't stop," Keli said.
Since we shared Keli's story, victims have contacted her from across the area including Seabrook, Katy and Cypress.
"I'm trying to put together the pieces as fast as I can," Keli said.
They even stretched out to College Station, where the second suspect was seen sneaking in feet away from a homeowner who was occupied by the fake tree trimmer.
"The number of cases and the net, the reach of these guys, has grown tremendously in the last two weeks," Keli said.
The burglars have been seen using different vehicles: a dark-colored truck, and most recently, a black Chevy Tahoe. Until police can track them down, victims want to make sure homeowners are on alert.
"We all need to know if any contractor is showing up unexpectedly claiming to do work or evaluate your home, don't let them in," Keli said.
Investigators with HPD told KHOU 11 News that multiple agencies were working together to bust these guys and that the suspects were part of a larger crew operating up and down the East Coast. Investigators are also trying to pinpoint how exactly they choose their victims. If you recognize them call HPD or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).