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B.A.R.S
The primary goal of the Burglary Apprehension Response Squad
(B.A.R.S.) is to support the mission of the Patrol Bureau while
being a specialized unit assigned to investigate residential
burglaries.
BARS deputies are responsible for doing initial burglary
investigations as well as all follow up investigations for
residential burglaries that occur within their district. They
are specially trained to be able to recover and preserve evidence
found at burglary scenes. They are also specially trained
to conduct interviews and interrogations of suspects, complainant's,
and witnesses.
Exceptional Delivery of Service
During the late 1990s, Harris County experienced a tremendous
growth of the population in its unincorporated areas and with
it, an increase in residential burglaries. The Harris County
Sheriff’s Office formed the Burglary Apprehension Response
Squad (B.A.R.S.) in October 1998 with the primary responsibility
of investigating all residential burglaries occurring with
their jurisdiction. Each B.A.R.S. unit is comprised of approximately
ten deputies and since the unit was formed, they have responded
to and investigated more than 7,810 cases, clearing 3,130,
or 40 percent. This achievement is best appreciated in light
of the realization that clearance rates for residential
burglaries typically had held in the single digits. The B.A.R.S.
unit has filed criminal charges on 2,181 individuals. In addition,
the unit has recovered more than $1.7 million in stolen property,
most of which has already been returned to the rightful owners.
District 1
On December 7, 2006, Sheriff Tommy Thomas presented the District 1 Burglary Apprehension Response Squad (B.A.R.S.) with a Unit Citation Award in recognition for their outstanding performance.
Over the last four (4) years, the District 1 Burglary Apprehension Response Squad (B.A.R.S.) has been assigned in excess of 4,850 residential burglary cases. The unit has successfully cleared cases with a rate of approximately 38% which is above the national average. The unit has charged over 570 suspects with 1 or more residential burglaries and recovered over $1,149,035.00 in stolen property.
The unit has successfully investigated and captured several serial burglars. Some of the more notable cases are as follows. In the case of the first serial burglar, the unit worked together in developing leads, filing charges, and capturing the suspect through open warrants. The unit cleared over 30 residential burglary cases and recovered over $35,000.00 worth of property, which resulted in the suspect receiving a 99-year sentence. In the case of the second serial burglar, the unit worked together in developing leads, actively patrolling the target area, and capturing the suspect inside the complainant’s home during a burglary-in-progress. The unit cleared over 30 residential burglary cases and recovered over $25,000.00 worth of property, which resulted in the suspect receiving a 48-year sentence. In the case of the third serial burglar, the unit worked together in developing leads leading to the discovery of the suspect’s vehicle and his residence. The unit was able to track and capture the suspect during a burglary-in-progress, which resulted in clearing 14 residential burglary cases and recovering over $25,000 worth of property. The suspect was given a plea deal by the District Attorney’s Office and sentenced him to 6 years.
On May 21st District 2 units responded to a weapons disturbance at the Best Western on the North Freeway. Upon their arrival they were able to secure a large amount of stolen property including stolen vehicles, a trailer and a firearm. The units were able to apprehend two females, Terry Terrie and Christina Smith for possession of a controlled substance. Information obtained at the scene indicated that two other males, Johnny Cheek and John Bullen were also involved. Bullen was apprehended later in the day for possession of a controlled substance. Auto Theft units, Burglary and Theft units and District 1 B.A.R.S. units were able to link several of the items found to a residential burglary in District 1. A search warrant was obtained for Cheek’s residence and a large amount of stolen property was recovered. This search warrant resulted in the issuance of a felony warrants for Cheek as well as Samantha O’Brien, who was charged with planning the residential burglary. Cheek was apprehended on June 16th after a series of shootings in Louisiana that left one officer, Captain Octavio Gonzalez of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Department, dead and another wounded. District 1 deputies were able to apprehend a second female suspect, Kimberly Restivio on June 25th. She had been with Cheek during the shootings in Louisiana and had fled back to Houston. Total property recovery value in this case was well over $100,000 and resulted in felony charges against six individuals
Last Updated: 2/1/2007 2:52:34 AM
District 2
The B.A.R.S Unit for District II consists of one Sergeant and six deputies; their mission is to liberate the district from residential burglaries, below are the clearance rates for the B.A.R.S. Unit since commencing operations in December of 2002.
New HCSO Cases Assigned to BARS..........4622
New Cases (Other) Assigned to BARS....... 23
Total Cases Cleared by Arrest............614
Total Cases Cleared by Other.............536
*Closed Unfounded................215
*Closed L.O.P....................284
*Closed Referred................. 10
Number of Suspects Charged...............810
Total OPEN Burglary Cases................3750
Total Cases Closed.......................1152
Total Property Recovered.................$1,263,761.75
Approximate Clearance Rate...............24.8%
Last Updated: 1/29/2008 12:41:19 PM
District 3
District III started the original BARS Unit in 1998 with nine deputies and a supervisor.
Last Updated: 1/19/2007 2:49:11 PM
District 4
The District IV Burglary Apprehension Response Squad (B.A.R.S.) has had a steady success rate in closing the burglary cases sent to them for investigation. In 2007 they received more than 1,119 new cases. Of these 374 cases were closed by arrest, 142 suspects charged, resulting in an overall clearance rate of 33.4% for the year.
Residential Burglaries Total YTD Program Monthly Totals
YTD Program Totals
New HCSO Cases - 1,119 7,243
New Cases(Other) - 70 525
Cases Cleared By Arrest - 89 1248
Cases Cleared By Other - 124 1657
Unfounded - 47 591
L.O.P. - 40 828
Referred - 27 171
Number Suspects Charged - 142 2009
Total Open Cases - 430 4485
Total Closed Cases - 374 3280
Property Recovered - $171,273 $1,670,608
Last Updated: 2/4/2008 11:48:41 AM
District 5
District 5 B.A.R.S.
Since the inception of the District 5 Burglary Apprehension Response Squad (B.A.R.S.) in September 2004, the four deputies and one sergeant assigned to this unit have been responsible for the clearing of approximately 856 residential burglaries and recovery of approximately $310,248.00 in stolen property.
B.A.R.S. Unit Stats
NorthWest District Command
Residential Burglaries Year To Date Program Total
New HCSO Cases Assigned to BARS 564 1382
New Cases (other) Assigned to BARS 2 25
Total Cases Cleared by Arrest 103 330
Total Cases Cleared by Other 91 170
* Closed Unfounded 33 91
* Closed L.O.P. / INA 54 69
* Closed Referred 4 23
Number of Suspects Charged 57 133
Total OPEN Burglary Cases 472 1060
Total Cases Closed 194 868
Total Property Recovered $68653.00 $310,248.00
* Denotes cases cleared by unfounded, lack of prosecution, etc.
One of the advantages of having the B.A.R.S. unit in the district is the close working relationship it affords the district deputies. Recently the night shift deputies arrested a suspect on an aggravated robbery charge and recovered a large amount of stolen property. This information was immediately forwarded to the B.A.R.S. unit enabling them to start an investigation. As a result of this cooperation between the District Five Deputies and the B.A.R.S unit, five burglary cases were cleared and $15,000.00 in property was promptly returned to the rightful owners.
The actions of the B.A.R.S. unit is a great example for all of us who made the career choice of Law Enforcement Officers and a reminder of why we all do what we do; serve and protect the citizens of our communities. We often forget why we are referred to as “Public Servants” and these Deputies epitomize public service by their dedication to duty and their commitment to the citizens of District 5. It is an honor as a supervisor to recognize the outstanding achievements of the unit that makes such contributions to the attainment of the goals of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Last Updated: 1/9/2007 2:11:21 PM
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