A sledgehammer-wielding suspect’s face was caught on camera during a Smoothie King break-in. The owner hopes someone recognizes him.
HOUSTON — A suspect wielding a sledgehammer brazenly broke into a business, but his failure to conceal his face gives authorities hope that someone may recognize him.
Derrell Mathis, owner of a Smoothie King franchise on North Eldridge Parkway, is not accepting cash transactions following a recent burglary. Mathis said his security cameras captured the break-in, which occurred overnight. The footage shows the suspect using a sledgehammer to smash through the front door and enter the establishment.
“Five hundred dollars — it’s not a little bit. Ten, 12 dollars is a lot to me,” Mathis said, reflecting on the impact of the theft.
According to the video, the suspect ripped out both cash drawers and left his phone on the counter. Realizing his mistake, the suspect returned to retrieve the phone before fleeing.
The Smoothie King was not the only target. The nail salon next door was also hit. This marks the third burglary there in the past decade. After the last incident five years ago, the salon quit keeping cash in the drawers, a precaution Mathis now adopts as well.
“The one time I get lazy with it, something like this happens,” Mathis said.
The Precinct 5 Constable’s Office is currently searching for the suspect. Authorities have released a frozen image from the video in hopes that someone can identify him and prevent further incidents.