HOUSTON – The FBI and several other agencies raided a home in southeast Houston early Wednesday, rescuing “potential victims.”
CLOSER LOOK: PHOTOS: A look inside raided SE Houston home during ‘court-authorized hostage rescue operation’
Four people were arrested during the court-authorized “hostage rescue operation,” according to the FBI. They’re not saying how many possible victims they found inside the home on Harby near Cullen. That’s a neighborhood just east of the Gulf Freeway.
The raid involved several agencies; however, we’re told the FBI’s Houston Division is leading the investigation at a home on Harby near Cullen just east of the Gulf Fwy.
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Initially, our cameras spotted people taken into custody, and we were only told by Houston police officers who were called to assist that it was “some type of smuggling case.”
No additional legal details have been shared, but we’re told the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and SWAT were involved.
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KPRC 2 obtained surveillance and cell phone videos from witnesses showing a man sitting on the front porch as SWAT arrived. He jumped out of a chair and ran inside the home as SWAT rolled up on the front yard in an armored vehicle.
People were eventually seen walking out with their hands up. A neighbor shared a video of SWAT escorting several people through the backyard. FBI Houston said four people were arrested and several potential hostages were rescued from the home off Harby Street in a court-authorized hostage rescue situation.
KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel spoke with the owner of the short-term rental, Austin Kimbrough.
He showed KPRC 2 the busted windows and damage inside the home from the raid. Inside, there were signs of an interrupted dinner. Uncooked chicken and rice were found on the stove.
“There is residue from a fire extinguisher, and there’s all this burnt toilet paper. The FBI said that it was there when they got here,” Kimbrough said.
Kimbrough said the guests booked the rental through booking.com. They checked in on the 31st. He said five people were supposed to be on the guest list, but his surveillance cameras captured roughly 9 people coming and going from the home.
“There were no cars here, so a lot of the people weren’t here,” Kimbrough said. “They would show up for a while, then they would leave. Then they would sit in their cars. Sometimes they would never even come in. I’m not sure what was going on.”
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A can of mace was on a nightstand. Clothes and other items were scattered in the bedrooms. Kimbrough said the FBI left with a long list of evidence.
“There were some guns, credit card, passports, I think 12 thousand dollars in cash. Something close to that. Phones,” Kimbrough said.
Kimbrough also added the FBI gave him information for how they will cover the damages.
The city is working to crack down on crime and large parties at short-term rentals. A spokesperson for Mayor John Whitmire sent KPRC 2 a statement saying:
“Mayor Whitmire has instructed City Legal and the Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department to look for solutions in our existing laws as well as the approaches of other Texas cities in regulating short-term rentals. A comprehensive review of potential regulatory or permitting options are being explored to ensure that the COH makes an informed decision when regulating short-term rentals.”
KPRC 2 also spoke with Council Member Tiffany Thomas who is hosting a workshop about short-term rental efforts.