DEER PARK, Texas – A late-night burglary at a Deer Park business turned into a tense situation for nearby residents as police searched for multiple masked suspects in the surrounding neighborhood.
While one suspect was quickly taken into custody, others fled the scene, prompting a large police response — complete with armed officers and a helicopter circling overhead for nearly an hour.
Burglary Sparks Police Chase Into Neighborhood
The Deer Park Police Department said the incident began when internal security at a business on the 1200 block of Underwood Road reported masked individuals attempting a burglary. Officers responded swiftly and managed to arrest one suspect on-site, but the remaining suspects fled on foot into a residential area.
Residents Caught Off Guard
Homeowners in the neighborhood described the experience as alarming and confusing, especially with little to no information provided in real time.
“A helicopter flew over for a good 45 minutes and it seemed to get lower and lower,” said Chanda Conway, a local resident who was out riding her bike during the search.
“When you see police officers with rifles walking in your neighborhood, that raises some eyebrows.”
Chanda also expressed frustration that no officers warned her or others to head indoors or take safety precautions.
“I was shocked that an officer couldn’t say, ‘Hey, you know, there’s some suspicious activity. Go inside, lock your doors.’”
Caught on Camera
Surveillance footage from home security systems captured both officers and suspects moving through the neighborhood. Some videos reportedly showed people running through backyards, further adding to the unease.
Another resident, who chose to remain anonymous, told that the lack of official communication during the unfolding incident made things worse.
“Nothing to at least let us know, like, ‘Hey, stay inside.’ It wasn’t law enforcement informing us — it was neighbors and Ring cameras.”
Police Response Under Scrutiny
The Deer Park Police Department eventually addressed the incident on Facebook the following afternoon, stating that the remaining suspects were still at large but there was no danger to the public.
When asked why no alerts were sent out during the incident, the department told they typically don’t issue notifications for unarmed suspects fleeing police. However, they acknowledged the community’s concerns and said they would review their communication policies moving forward.
“We understand the community wants timely information. We’re listening and evaluating how we can do better,” the department said in a follow-up statement.
While no injuries were reported, the surprise police presence and lack of real-time alerts left many Deer Park residents feeling uneasy and frustrated. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about how and when law enforcement communicates with the public during active investigations.
As the search for the remaining suspects continues, residents hope this situation leads to better transparency and community engagement in the future.
