Three years ago, a group of well-trained MS-13 gang members, who were wearing black FBI shirts, executed several home invasions in the Houston area. Then, one night in November of 2005, real agents were waiting for the home invaders. In a hail of gunfire, two gang members were killed and two others wounded. Thirty six months later, home invasions across the country are on the rise and in Houston; investigators believe a Columbian gang is targeting the wealthy. The latest home invasion happened in the upscale community of Piney Point Village at about 2 p.m. on July 24. A high school student home for the summer heard a knock at the door.
When he went to answer the door, three men barged in. At least one of the men had a gun. They took the family safe and some electronics. The teen that was home told investigators that all three robbers communicated with each other in Spanish.
Now, Houston ATF agents are working on the case. Earlier this month, Dallas police arrested a group of men they think are responsible for 70 home invasions in 20 North Texas cities. Police said the leader of the gang was Ernest Ross. Like the Houston cases, the victims in North Texas would be considered wealthy.
Moreover, it appears that the gang would research their victims by going online. They would also usually pose at cops. “They would on many occasions dress in law enforcement-type gear. They would often tell the homeowners they had a warrant for their arrest,” said Dallas Police Detective Duane Boy. “Once they got in, they would bind them and in some cases they did torture them.” With the ATF and the FBI working with local law enforcement agencies to catch the criminals, officials hope to put a halt to the home invasions sooner than later. Until then, police warn that homeowners need to be careful when a stranger knocks on the door.