AUSTIN, Texas — A couple in South Austin said they're on edge after they captured a man on surveillance video peering into their home on two different nights.
Preferring not to share their names due to safety concerns, the couple described the unnerving feeling of someone violating their privacy. A week ago, they moved into the Tanglewood Forest neighborhood and they said they already had two cameras installed. It was when one of them checked the footage that they noticed a man that had hopped the fence.
"I noticed this guy walk through our backyard up to the door, and he's trying to look in through the side to see through the doors. We have curtains and our blinds are shut too, but he was still trying to look through gaps," the couple said.
The incident forced them to file a police report online and install two more cameras. But the couple said the same man showed up once again the following night.
"The notification popped up like, 'Person at back gate,' and I pulled out the video and that's the guy sitting on the fence, staring at me five minutes after I went back inside," they said.
The couple then called police and told them about the filed report. They were told an officer would be sent out.
However, they said no one ever came.
"I don't even want to let my dogs out because I'm afraid I'm going to pull back the curtain and see him, or I'm going to be home alone and the notification's going to come on, [and he] is going to be standing right there," they said.
KVUE reached out to the Austin Police Department (APD). A spokesperson sent the following:
"This incident was in regards to a criminal trespass in the 9400 block of Curlew Drive. Currently, the case is suspended due to the lack of leads/evidence. However, the case may be reopened if there is additional information or tips provided by the complainant(s).”
The incident caught the attention of the couple's neighbor. Jordan F. – who also prefers to keep his full name private – said he saw the footage on the neighborhood networking service Nextdoor and that it mirrored a similar situation he went through in April 2023.
Jordan said when he and his fiancé came home one night, they witnessed a man lurking on the side of their home. Jordan said he confronted the individual and called police officers, who then gave the man a criminal trespassing warning.
However, Jordan said that same man might be the one caught on the couple's security cameras.
"It's upsetting," Jordan said. "South Austin is generally a pretty safe area, and it's not a cool feeling uneasy."
Jordan said he, too, has reached out to APD on the couple's behalf, he but hasn't made any headway.
"Hopefully, something can be done," the couple said.
In response to whether the two incidents might be connected, APD said at this time, there is not enough information or evidence to make a connection.