Cat burglars?
By LeaAnne Klentzman
Tuesday, a week ago, Richmond police were notified by a concerned neighbor that two men were seen shimmying under a slightly open garage door on Long Drive. It all began when neighbors noticed a suspicious vehicle at a nearby home. As the neighbor watched, two men got down on the driveway and slid under the garage door that had been partially left up for the family cat to go in and out. Because this neighbor called the police immediately, Richmond police were able to thwart the burglars in the midst of their criminal endeavor.
According to Richmond police department public information officer Master Sergeant Lowell Neinast, “Three daytime residential burglars were caught in the act of entering and stealing property from the home of a resident who was away on an errand.” Neinast said that “Richmond Police Officers responded and located one suspect, identified as Brecia Gomez, in the driver seat of the nearby suspicious vehicle.” Gomez, of Sugar Land, was taken into custody without incident he said. Officers then secured the perimeter of the home.
Neinast said police believe that the two burglars, who were inside the home, saw them outside and bolted from the residence out the front door. Officers pursued the subjects on foot through several neighborhood back yards. “After a brief dash for freedom, the two were taken into custody with some initial resistance towards the officers, said Neinast.
Michael Galloway and Keenan Kirkton, both residents of the unincorporated Fort Bend County area, along with Gomez, were arrested and charged with Burglary of a Habitation. Stolen personal property from inside the home was recovered off the person of one of the suspects at the time of his arrest.
Richmond Police Chief Bill Whitworth credits the quick thinking and actions of the citizens on Long Drive as well as the professional response of Richmond and Rosenberg police officers with the incident culminating in a positive conclusion.