Thieves were caught on camera stealing from a homeowner in Southwest Lubbock, and police have asked for the public’s help in solving the crime.
Surveillance video showed two suspects looking through a pickup truck with a flashlight, then walking up to the home of David Mead and taking two flags off the poles in his front yard.
“Then as they were going across my yard, for some reason, they decided to take my American and Texas flags down, so they walked right up to the front of the house, and lowered the flags and took them,” Mead said.
“From there they went on down the street. Broke into one of our neighbor’s pickups, he heard them, came out, and then I had them on video running back to their car and taking off,” he explained.
Mead said he did not know who the suspects were, or why his home was targeted in the first place.
“The officer that took the report, he said he had taken I think he said 8 reports in the previous week. So these guys were in this neighborhood obviously targeting it,” he said. “Car burglars, trying to make some quick money, going through cars, looking for any cash, change, whatever’s in there. Anything they can get out real quick and sell.”
Police described the first suspect as a Hispanic or black male with a thin build, in his late teens or early twenties. He was approximately 6 feet tall, 160 pounds, wearing glasses, a hooded sweatshirt, and sweatpants.
The second suspect was described by police as a Hispanic or white male, in the same age range, about 5’8” and 180 pounds. He was seen wearing a baseball cap, dark colored shirt, dark colored shorts, and had long hair.
“It’s a despicable type of crime, they would take those kind of resources that they have to go steal a flag, instead of getting a job,” said Lieutenant Ray Mendoza with LPD. “We’re reaching out to the public, that’s where we are. We’re kind of at a dead end. The video is kind of grainy. Hopefully somebody will recognize some features from the video, or still pictures we put up, either that or maybe recognize the vehicle that was involved.”
“Anybody who maybe has an idea, if they could give us a tip, we could follow up on it,” Mendoza explained.
Mendoza acknowledged that the suspect information was relatively vague, but hoped someone in the community recognized them.
“The pictures speak for themselves. There’s not very good quality, however never the less as frustrating as it is, somebody would steal somebody’s flag flying right in front of their house,” he said.
For Mead, a retired United States Marshal and Dallas police officer, any information would be helpful.
“I know how hard it is and I know that every bit of help that citizens can give, the PD is more than glad to get it,” he said. “The citizens are a big part in the crime because you know police are called and we get there after. We need positive,e very advantage we could get.”
“Be aware of cars in your neighborhood. Take notice. Look at somebody driving down the street, don’t be afraid to stare them down,” he added.
“We hope they return it, and they give us an explanation as to why they thought it was so important to take that. But if nothing else, at least return the flag to its rightful owner,” Mendoza added.
