HOUSTON, Texas – A wild case of home invasion ended with two men behind bars after they allegedly broke into a Houston-area home and made themselves a little too comfortable.
Jerry Vallade, 43, and Dustin Gamblin, 40, were arrested on August 5 and are now facing multiple felony charges, including drug possession, breaking and entering, and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
The homeowners, Connie and Joe Cases, had been on vacation when the break-in happened at their house on Thiess Road near FM 1960. Their son-in-law arrived at the property and noticed Vallade sitting on the porch. Vallade claimed he knew the family — but then, in a twist, the family’s Jeep drove up with Gamblin behind the wheel.
Gamblin parked the Jeep and walked off to a nearby gas station, where deputies later arrested him. Vallade was taken into custody shortly after.
The Cases rushed home after the call from their son-in-law and found the intruders had been living in their house — eating food, showering, drinking alcohol, and wearing their clothes. They even charged old cell phones and appeared ready to stay longer, with frozen boudin sausage found waiting to be cooked.
“They drank all our alcohol, chopped up some brisket, had hot sauce out,” said Connie Cases. “I’m sure they were going to stay longer.”
As if the situation wasn’t bizarre enough, Connie later found a bag of meth in her Jeep’s console while taking it to be cleaned. Deputies had already discovered another bag of meth inside the home.
Court records reveal Gamblin has a criminal history dating back to 2005. His bond was set at $60,000, while Vallade’s bond was set at $35,000.
“At least they didn’t tear the house up,” said Joe Case. “It could’ve been worse.”
