Full Notification

At 4:37am this date Port Neches PD was dispatched to the 700 blk of Bella Vita Dr. in reference to a possible burglary in progress. Officers discovered that a homeowner had contact with a suspect that was involved in a burglary. The homeowner chased the suspect around his property and eventually fired one shot at the intruder. The suspect was last seen running across Merriman st. towards Miller st. A K-9 from Port Arthur PD tracked the suspect to an area near E. Kitchen and Miller where investigators believe the suspect may have fled in a vehicle. Investigators believe the intruder was unharmed and is possibly the same suspect involved in similar burglaries in the area in the past two months. This suspect is described as a white male or Hispanic male, 6"00 to 6"1", thin build, wearing a dark colored "hoodie" and dark pants. Investigators have surveillance video of a suspect from other recent burglaries and attempted burglaries in the area and they believe it is the same suspect. Since this burglary, officers have responded to another burglary in the Thomas Haven subdivision and a similar incident in the River Oaks subdivision. This is all within a half mile radius of Bella Vita Dr.
This particular incident occurred near Ridgewood Elementary school. As a precautionary measure, additional officers were placed at the school this morning, but we do not believe there is any danger to the students or staff due to this incident.