Damon West: Mastermind of a Texas Burglary Ring
A Promising football star turned drug addicted burglar
Damon Joseph West once seemed to have a promising future. A former high school football star who played quarterback at the University of North Texas in the 1990s, West had a supportive family and a bright career ahead. But by his early 30s, he had spiraled into methamphetamine addiction and crime. In 2009, West stood in a Dallas courtroom not as an ex-athlete, but as the convicted ringleader of a brazen burglary spree that terrorized dozens of residents across North Texas. Prosecutors painted him as the “puppet master” of a crew of drug-fueled burglars responsible for over 50 home break-ins and nearly $1 million in stolen property.
Building a Ring of Drug-Addicted Burglars
West’s descent into crime culminated in what authorities dubbed the “Uptown burglaries” – a coordinated series of apartment and condo break-ins in Dallas’s Uptown neighborhood between September 2007 and the summer of 2008. Fueled by meth, West recruited a ring of fellow addicts to carry out burglaries with military precision. Investigators later identified around a dozen accomplices under West’s direction.
Rather than smashing doors, the crew quietly drilled small holes above deadbolts to unlock doors without detection. They targeted homes while occupants were out of town, sometimes staying inside for hours – or even days – ransacking and looting every drawer, closet, and cabinet. Some victims returned to find evidence the burglars had eaten their food and slept in their beds.
The Uptown Crime Spree: “Someone Had a Field Day”
Upscale complexes like The Post Worthington, Gables Villa Rosa, and the Mondrian Cityplace became prime targets. Victims described scenes of chaos and deep violation. “Someone had a field day,” said Dana Brown, who came home to find her apartment trashed and her valuables gone. Others noted missing heirlooms, stolen IDs, and the unnerving feeling that strangers had lived in their space.
One victim, a young woman, testified: “I lost my sense of security.” She feared what might happen if the burglars had returned while she was home. That fear was echoed across dozens of victims, many of whom broke leases or moved out entirely. The material damage was severe – but the psychological trauma was incalculable.
Personal and Financial Devastation
One of the most gut-wrenching cases was Melissa Haddad, who came home to find her closet safe destroyed and an engagement ring stolen – a ring given to her by her fiancé who had been killed while serving in Iraq. Along with military medals and irreplaceable mementos, she lost around $25,000 in property. Her roommate lost another $12,000 that same day. Though the ring was later recovered, many others weren’t so lucky.
Another victim? A Dallas police officer whose badge and service weapon were stolen. West’s crew showed no boundaries – not even when it came to law enforcement.
The Investigation: Pattern of a Predator
By 2008, police linked the unique M.O. – drilled deadbolts, prolonged entry, specific high-value thefts – into a clear pattern. The break came when Dustin Kienzlen, West’s partner, was arrested in a stolen car. That led detectives to West, and on July 30, 2008, he was caught in a stolen SUV filled with stolen goods, trying to escape a parking garage.
Inside the vehicle: garage remotes, women’s clothing, electronics, and the infamous power drill. Police found stash houses across Dallas, crammed with stolen property. They also uncovered bizarre cover-up attempts, like trying to transfer a lease into a victim’s name to hide their tracks.
Trial and Conviction: Justice Catches Up
In May 2009, Damon West was tried in Dallas County for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. Prosecutors said West was behind at least 51 burglaries and accused him of trying to run the operation from jail after his arrest. His defense tried to frame him as an addict in a spiral, not a ringleader, but the jury wasn’t buying it.
Victims testified. Evidence stacked up. And the jury returned a verdict of guilty. The sentence? 65 years in prison. A harsh but fitting punishment for a man whose calculated crimes shattered homes and lives across North Texas.
Conclusion: No Excuses for a Crime Wave
Damon West’s criminal past isn’t some tale of a lost soul who made a mistake. It’s a blueprint of how addiction, manipulation, and greed can spawn a full-fledged crime syndicate. He didn’t just commit crimes – he orchestrated a campaign of fear, theft, and violation against innocent people. While later chapters of West’s life may focus on redemption, for his victims, the only story that matters is the one where he stole their safety and peace of mind.
Justice caught up with Damon West. And the 65-year sentence he earned was not excessive – it was earned.
Sources:
- The Dallas Morning News – Jennifer Emily & Tom Steele (2009-2016)
- Texas Court of Appeals – Opinion in Damon West v. State (2011)
- Beaumont Enterprise – Dan Wallach (May 2009)
- Associated Press via CBS News (2016)
- People Magazine – Danielle Bacher (2023)