Alonzo Highsmith, the former Houston Oilers running back, returned to the city he loves and found that his rental car had been broken into. Surveillance video shows a man using a flashlight to peer into the vehicle, signal to another man, and then break the window. The theft cost Highsmith luggage, a backpack full of work materials, a computer, and personal keepsakes — including a small ring that holds particular meaning.
The Broken Window
Highsmith was visiting a Houston restaurant when he discovered that his rental car had been compromised. He viewed surveillance footage from the establishment and described what he saw in detail.
“Yeah, it was all on surveillance. You see the guy going up to the car with a flashlight, looking in the car, then he signals to another guy,” Highsmith said. “Then you hear on the surveillance video the breaking of the window. Like you couldn’t take this off the seat. This guy climbed all the way into the car, climbed all the way into the car. You could see his feet wiggling, and I got my bags and left.”
The video captured the entire sequence of events, from the initial approach to the moment the intruder entered the vehicle.
What Was Taken
The stolen items included Highsmith’s luggage, which held all of his clothes. His backpack contained his work documents, an iPad, and his computer. The bag also carried extra credit cards kept for emergencies, along with the everyday necessities needed for travel.
Highsmith described the loss with particular sorrow.
“The thing that bothered me the most is that they took everything,” he said. “My luggage with all of my clothes in it. My backpack, which had all of my work, my iPad, had my computer. It had some extra credit cards I keep for emergencies and just the necessities you need to travel with all of the time.”
The Ring That Matters
Among the items lost was a small ring belonging to his wife. Highsmith said he purchased replacement clothes and other items on Thursday, but he did not replace what he considered most important.
“I would just say you can keep the backpack and keep the chain,” Highsmith said. “I just want my wife’s little rings back.”
The request points to the personal nature of the loss.
Police Investigation
Both Highsmith and the business owner told ABC13 that they have been in contact with Houston police, who are investigating the incident. The case remains under investigation.
A Simple Theft
This is a straightforward case of theft. A man broke into a car, took its contents, and left.
“I just want my wife’s little rings back.”
That line carries the weight of the whole story. Highsmith did not ask for restitution for the laptop or the credit cards or the clothes. He asked for a small, personal item.
What We Know
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Alonzo Highsmith, former Houston Oilers running back |
| Location | Houston, Texas |
| Incident | Car break-in caught on surveillance video |
| Items stolen | Luggage, backpack, iPad, computer, credit cards, wife’s rings |
| Response | Contact with Houston police; investigation ongoing |
Highsmith’s return to Houston should have been a happy occasion. Instead, it ended with a broken window and a stolen bag. The surveillance footage captures the moment, but it cannot recover what was lost.
The stolen ring remains missing.
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