Homeowner hopes letter will deter thief

By Marc Robertson - Editor | June 29, 2023

POLICE EXAMINE POSSIBLE BREAK-IN, FIND NO CLUES

There is a handwritten note in a Bible on the front porch of a house in Pearsall addressed to whoever has been responsible for a recent theft and an attempted break-in.
The Pearsall Police Department said last week that a case involving the possible theft of valuables from a home on the west side of town has yielded no results and that officers have found no sign of forced entry at the residence.
Homeowner Joe Viesca reported to police earlier in the month that he believed his house on South Apple Street had been burglarized and that a battery-powered weed trimmer had been stolen.
Viesca also reported that someone had entered the residence while he was at home and removed a wallet containing cash and identification.
“Whoever you are, I know you have been stealing from my house,” Viesca wrote in the note that he has left on his front porch in the event that the thief returns. “I do not know who you are or how you have been able to enter my house, but if you are caught, you know you will be in a lot of trouble.”
Police visited the home after Viesca reported that his weed trimmer had been stolen but indicated later that they were unable to determine whether a break-in had occurred.
Viesca changed his locks and asked a friend to help attach a security chain to the home’s front door.
Within days, he said in a recent interview, someone attempted entering the home.
“The chain was on the door, and the door was open,” Viesca said of the incident that he believes represents at least the second home intrusion. “I was at home at the time, and someone still tried to force their way in.”
Police returned to the home last week and stated later that there have been no other reports of burglaries or attempted forced entries at homes in the neighborhood.
Viesca has placed a Bible on his front porch with the note.
“If you still want to steal something, you can steal this Bible,” the note reads. “Maybe it will do you some good.”
Viesca hopes that whoever takes the Bible reads Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 4, Verse 28.
“If there is someone breaking into homes, even when the homeowners are there, then I hope the police catch whoever is doing it,” Viesca said of the crimes that he believes target the vulnerable. “It needs to stop.”
The police department encourages those with information on local crime to call (830) 334-4169.