A Family's Desperate Plea for Justice: Years of Repeated Boot Store Thefts
The owners of Yordi's Boots in north Houston have been left feeling frustrated and helpless after a suspect was identified as the mastermind behind a string of thefts at their family-owned business. According to Ellie Soto, the store owner's daughter, the same man has repeatedly stolen items from her family's store over the years, with the most recent incidents occurring in recent weeks.
Soto recently reached out to ABC13 for help, sharing footage of the suspect breaking into the store and stealing boots on multiple occasions. One video shows a man running into the store, grabbing boots from a display table, and leaving without being caught by security. Another video captures a confrontation at the front door, with Soto herself standing up to the suspect as he tried to steal several pairs of boots.
The most recent incident was caught on camera, showing Soto fighting with the suspect in the parking lot after he stole a pair of boots. The suspect allegedly put her in a chokehold, but fortunately, Soto managed to get the man to drop the boots and leave.
Despite reporting the incidents to the Houston Police Department (HPD), no arrest has been made yet. Soto is urging anyone with information about the suspect's identity or whereabouts to come forward. She believes that the HPD is investigating the matter, but she wants to take matters into her own hands.
To combat the thefts, the family has installed locks on their doors and are now hiding matching boot sets in an effort to deter the thief. Soto's primary concern is not about the boots themselves, but about being targeted and made to feel like easy prey.
The Yordi's Boots family wants justice, and they're determined to make a statement by showing that they will no longer be intimidated or bullied into giving up their hard-earned money. As Soto put it, "It's not just the boots – it's the principle."
The owners of Yordi's Boots in north Houston have been left feeling frustrated and helpless after a suspect was identified as the mastermind behind a string of thefts at their family-owned business. According to Ellie Soto, the store owner's daughter, the same man has repeatedly stolen items from her family's store over the years, with the most recent incidents occurring in recent weeks.
Soto recently reached out to ABC13 for help, sharing footage of the suspect breaking into the store and stealing boots on multiple occasions. One video shows a man running into the store, grabbing boots from a display table, and leaving without being caught by security. Another video captures a confrontation at the front door, with Soto herself standing up to the suspect as he tried to steal several pairs of boots.
The most recent incident was caught on camera, showing Soto fighting with the suspect in the parking lot after he stole a pair of boots. The suspect allegedly put her in a chokehold, but fortunately, Soto managed to get the man to drop the boots and leave.
Despite reporting the incidents to the Houston Police Department (HPD), no arrest has been made yet. Soto is urging anyone with information about the suspect's identity or whereabouts to come forward. She believes that the HPD is investigating the matter, but she wants to take matters into her own hands.
To combat the thefts, the family has installed locks on their doors and are now hiding matching boot sets in an effort to deter the thief. Soto's primary concern is not about the boots themselves, but about being targeted and made to feel like easy prey.
The Yordi's Boots family wants justice, and they're determined to make a statement by showing that they will no longer be intimidated or bullied into giving up their hard-earned money. As Soto put it, "It's not just the boots – it's the principle."
theyre going through this nightmare and nobody seems to care about stopping the thiefs 
. its crazy how some ppl think they can just take whatever they want from someone else 
. i hope the police step up their game and catch the guy ASAP 
. Soto is right, its not just about the boots, its about her family feeling like targets 
. they deserve justice and security 
I'm so sick of these thieves thinkin they can just waltz in and steal from small businesses like this fam's?! Years go by and no one even bothers to get their butt kicked or arrested? 
It's not just about the boots, it's about makin' a statement. The owner is right to take matters into her own hands, I'm all for that! 
The police gotta step up their game here and catch this guy ASAP. No one deserves to be put in a chokehold like that 
. It's time for these thieves to face the music and get what's comin' to 'em 
.
This story is like, super depressing, man. I mean, think about it - this family's been dealing with this one guy stealing from them for years... it's not just about the boots, as they say, it's about feeling vulnerable and helpless. And it's not just the family itself, but also the community around them that's got to deal with the aftermath of this theft. I'm like, what can we do, you know? 
This dude has been hitting them up for years and still got away with it?! Like, the owners are literally at their wit's end and Soto is literally fighting with this guy in the parking lot? 
I'm so down for justice though - I mean who steals from family-owned businesses like that? The HPD needs to step up ASAP! 
This whole situation is giving me so much LIFE but also so much frustration - I hope they get the outcome they want and that no one else has to go through this 
this is so frustrating... i mean i get that people are struggling but stealing from small business owners year after year? thats just low 
and i think its amazing that ellie soto is stepping up to take matters into her own hands 
by installing locks and hiding stock. like she's not asking for much, just some justice for what's hers. i'm all for community policing and people coming forward with info but at the same time, the HPD needs to step it up too 
. I mean, I get it, the family wants justice and all, but can't they just upgrade to a fancy security system instead of locking up their store like it's some kinda museum? And hiding boot sets in an alleyway? That's just asking for trouble. Plus, this guy has been doing this for years, what makes them think the HPD hasn't been onto him sooner? It's not like he's invisible. I'm not saying they should give up, but maybe they can work with the cops to get some actual solutions instead of just trying to outsmart the thief. And what's with all these boot sets being stolen anyway? Is it really that valuable or is someone just looking for a free pair? 
I feel so bad for Ellie Soto and her family - all those years of thefts and they're still being targeted? 
It's crazy that this guy thinks he can just waltz in and out of the store whenever he wants. 
.
. Installing locks on the doors and hiding matching boot sets? That's some serious initiative 
. And I get what she means about it being about principle too - when you're a business owner, your livelihood is at stake 
! Its so sad for Ellie Soto and her fam, they must be feelin super frustrated & helpless 
. I mean, who does this? Thats not just a lil theft, thats a lil assault 
Soto's got every right to want justice & take matters into her own hands 
. I feel for her fam & their business, its not just about the boots, its about bein treated w/ respect 
. Lets all hope that this guy gets caught soon & serves some time 
! 
. It makes me wonder, what would happen if everyone just gave up and hoped someone else would take care of their problems? That ain't gonna cut it, fam 
.