A Houston woman’s apartment was destroyed in a matter of hours by an unusual intruder — who stripped down and changed into her underwear and top before wrecking the place.
Allana Mitchell, who works as a chef, left her apartment in downtown Houston on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. for a catering job and then drinks with friends — only to return home hours later unable to get into her unit.
“It was like it was locked from the inside. I went around the building and saw my lights were on,” Mitchell told Fox 26. “I never do that. And there was even stuff thrown off of my balcony.”
Despite calling Houston police and her building’s management that night, she was only able to get back in 24 hours later, when she then discovered all of her belongings, food, appliances and clothing had been tossed around haphazardly.
“There was food all over the floor, everything was a mess,” Mitchell said. “The water was running. I lost everything.”
To her horror, Mitchell discovered that the intruder had an outfit change during his heist. She found he left behind his clothes, including his underwear, and had taken a pair of her underwear and a T-shirt she had slept in the night before.
“My neighbor’s ring camera caught him knocking on doors,” she said. “He had on my underwear and a t-shirt I slept in the night before. His underwear was on the floor along with his hospital shirt.”
Alarming ring video camera footage taken in the hallway shows the man wandering around, seeming to call out for somebody.
“I’m more grateful to know it wasn’t somebody watching me. That it was just somebody who was out of their mind, who happened to me in the right place in the right time for them. Because he had a ball in my place,” she said.
When Mitchell went to her property management about the incident, they told her it sounded personal.
“How is it personal? I don’t know him. They could be a little more compassionate regarding the situation,” Mitchell said. “I did speak with the regional manager, and she said they’re in training, but I don’t feel like you need training to show compassion.”
Mitchell was told by maintenance staff that her key fob was used on her door between 12 a.m. and 2 a.m. that night, though she says she had both of her keys with her. She also said she was told none of the building’s security cameras are currently operational.
The California native moved to Houston seven months ago but does not plan on staying at the complex much longer. She says she is also thankful she has renter’s insurance.
Police are still investigating the case and have not named any suspects.