February 21, 2012 - Houston police said the recent arrests of two of eight burglary suspects are attributed in large part to video technology used by home and business owners and urge all citizens to consider utilizing such technology.

One suspect, Steven Hicks (b/m, DOB: 12-22-82), is charged with one count of burglary of a habitation and one count of attempted burglary of a habitation - both felonies - in the 185th State District Court.  Hicks, dubbed by area residents as the "doggie door burglar," stole items from a home in the 1200 block of Bell on January 25th by entering through the doggie door of the home's back door.  There, he was photographed while in the act and his picture was distributed to residents and the media.  That led to his arrest on February 9.  Hicks confessed to his role in the break-in and also to breaking a back door window to gain entry to a home on January 23 in the 1900 block of Morse.  He quickly fled the location on foot when someone inside the residence spotted him.

A second suspect, Frankie Joe Stall Jr. (w/m, DOB: 1-8-72), is charged with burglary of a building in the 208th State District Court.  He is accused of breaking into the Jenni's Noodle House at 602 East 20th on February 9.  Video surveillance captured the incident and was broadcast in the media.  As a result of a viewer's tip, Stall was apprehended five days after the crime.

Photos of Hicks and Stall are attached to this news release.

The incidents spotlight the power of video evidence and technology that - coupled with citizens' involvement and police work - can apprehend criminals before they strike another house or business.  In the below link, HPD Captain Arnie Anderson of the Burglary and Theft Division said Hicks was caught thanks to the homeowner utilizing creative photographic technology. 

https://www.youtube.com/user/houstonpolicedept?ob=0&feature=results_main

Captain Anderson also announced the arrests of six other suspects accused in a series of home burglaries in the city's Clear Lake area that have helped decrease such crimes there drastically in the past two months.