CHINA - By Megan Dillard - It's a rising trend law affecting people across southeast Texas. Home invasions.

Investigators explained burglaries are on the rise all over our area.
We spoke with a former police officer who became a victim after a group of several men kicked in the door at his China home and helped themselves.

Barry Blaisdell is no stranger to fighting crime.

The former police officer spent twenty years helping victims.
Just days before Christmas he found himself calling police for help.

"All kinds of things run through your mind. Is it someone you know trying to seek revenge? I know it's a random act, but it does run through your mind. Are they coming back?"

Investigators say a group of burglars broke into Blaisdell's home off Woodbury Road in China on December 10.

The break-in is one of several in the area. Investigators say this is what the burglars are doing. They pick a house, they knock, they wait for an answer. When they don't hear anything, they kick the door in.

"They're very active right now. Why I don't know, but they are being very active on these residential burglaries, particularly looking for guns. The price have guns have gone up and therefore, they can sell them at a higher rate."

The men didn't take guns from Blaisdell's house.

They took about $10 thousand in electronics. And just days before Christmas.

"Everything was under the tree. We had stuff taken, that you know, it just made Christmas hard."

A hard holiday for his kids and a shaken sense of security for Blaisdell.

"All kinds of things run through your mind so we had to take precautions and protect ourselves."

Precautions like this security camera system that caught this video of the same guys back in action.

"We got a phone call Monday that my sister-in-law, who lives next door to us, their house was burglarized also."

Crime law enforcement says is unacceptable.

"We're going to get you, there's no doubt there. It's just when the knock on the door comes."

Investigators are looking for a group of two or three white males in their 20's.

They were seen driving a blue and tan Ford Lariat with a bed cover and an older white pickup, with a green and purple wave design.

Law enforcement says this group has hit homes off Old Sour Lake Road, South China Road, and Westbury Road.

Investigators say based on the harsh 'kicking-in-the-door method' the burglars are using, they're not necessarily experienced.

They are consistent in their methods which helps law enforcement trace patterns.

Several law enforcement agencies around southeast Texas are working similar cases.

Deputies say some crimes are related and some are not. Another tactic burglars are using: They knock on a door and when someone answers, they ask for a random person. Is John here? When the homeowner says no, John does not live here, the stranger leaves. But what the person has done, according to law enforcement, is "case" the home, or made themselves familiar with their next target.

Anytime something doesn't seem right, grab that phone and call 911. If you have any information about the burglaries in China, call CrimeStoppers at 833-TIPS. You could earn a cash reward and you don't have to give your name.Former police officer becomes victim in string of China burglaries