A burglary investigation in Presidio, Texas, is raising a home-security concern for anyone who gives a worker access to a yard, driveway, gate, or outdoor project area.
Presidio County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 40-year-old Raul Ramos Zuniga of Ojinaga, Mexico, on a charge of burglary of a habitation, according to NewsWest 9.
The case began after a homeowner reported missing jewelry from a local home. Investigators said the homeowner reviewed surveillance footage and identified Zuniga inside a bedroom while the residents were away.
Authorities allege Zuniga had been working as a landscaper on the property.
Camera Footage Became a Key Detail
Big Bend Reporter, citing the Presidio County Sheriff’s Office, reported that the homeowner’s security footage allegedly showed Zuniga inside a bedroom without permission.
Sheriff’s officials said evidence gathered during the investigation linked him to the burglary.
The report did not identify the exact type or value of jewelry allegedly taken. Authorities also said the investigation raised suspicions about possible involvement in other thefts in the area, but they did not release additional details.
Deputies Arrested Him at the Port of Entry
According to the sheriff’s office account reported by Big Bend Reporter, deputies arrested Zuniga at the Presidio Port of Entry on a warrant issued by Justice of the Peace Bishop. Officials also said Zuniga had previously been arrested by the Presidio Police Department on a criminal trespass charge.
The Charge Involves a Texas Home
Texas Penal Code Section 30.02 classifies burglary as a second-degree felony when it is committed in a habitation, except in certain circumstances that can change the charge level.
For homeowners hiring landscapers, cleaners, contractors, or repair workers, the access plan should be clear before the work starts. Outdoor jobs can be handled while interior doors stay locked, valuables stay out of sight, and cameras cover the places where someone could move from the yard toward the house.