30 people arrested for vandalizing vacant shopping center in EADO; City threatens sanctions

HOUSTON – In the East Downtown neighborhood, Houston police have apprehended 30 people in the past year for break-ins and vandalism at a vacant shopping center currently up for sale.

The property, owned by BYG Investments and managed by Jim Carroll, is on the 6200 block of Harrisburg and is listed at $3 million.

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Over the past year, the site has suffered numerous break-ins, mainly from repeat offenders. Vandals caused extensive damage, breaking windows, destroying light fixtures and even stealing air conditioning units and cables from the roof. Carroll says he also discovered heroin needles, syringes and human feces on the premises, as well as evidence of makeshift campfires.

The Las Palmas Plaza property, located in the 6200 block of Harrisburg in EaDo, has been burglarized and vandalized several times over the past year.

“The majority of them went to prison,” Carroll said. “Some have gone to a diversion center or a sobering up center. But we keep arresting the same people, and the courts keep letting them out on the streets.”

Homeowners spent more than $12,000 on window replacements and $5,000 on interior repairs.

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While FOX 26 was interviewing Carroll Wednesday afternoon, Houston police responded to another call about a break-in and found a person sleeping on the property. The suspect, a repeat offender, was accused of destroying plexiglass to gain entry. He was formally charged with criminal mischief and trespassing. Additional law enforcement officers were dispatched to search for additional intruders.

“It makes it harder to sell the property,” Carroll said. “They look at the damage and ask, ‘Why would anyone want to buy this property with all the damage done?’

The Las Palmas Plaza property, located in the 6200 block of Harrisburg, EADO, has been burglarized and vandalized several times over the past year.

The owners of Las Palmas Plaza, a 25,000-square-foot building, have been trying to sell the property since 2017, coinciding with the installation and operation of the nearby Harrisburg Viaduct. Since then, many companies have left the region.

On May 8, the city inspection office issued a notice of graffiti, which has since been corrected. The letter warned of potential liens for cleanup costs if further violations occur.

“The city needs to do a better job with the homeless population,” a frustrated Carroll said. “We pay $30,000 in taxes on the property, there’s no one there…and yet the city wants to punish us.”

According to information posted on the city’s website, inspection violations can result in fines ranging from $100 to $2,000 each, depending on the violation and infraction.

FOX 26 reached out to the area council member and the mayor’s office Wednesday afternoon, and we are awaiting a response.