Some Oakland residents were on alert after three men were caught on camera breaking into a housing complex.

Oakland police are now searching for three suspects who broke into the Vernon Street complex, which has 64 units.

Residents said some men forced their way in and residents feared they could return.

This surveillance video shows one man, who looked straight at the camera and pried open the front door early on Dec. 19.

It takes several minutes to open the door, but then the three men walk in and enter the elevator.

The trio apparently took nothing, perhaps seeing so many units with alarms, but they could come back.

"Who knows if they have guns," said Gary Morris, a resident. "They count on OPD not being able to respond because they are so understaffed. And it's a super dangerous situation."

Area residents said one of the suspects, with the neck tattoo, has been committing property crimes in the area for some time.

His face was even on a flier that was posted around the neighborhood.

City officials responded to this most recent incident.

"A lot of people have installed security cameras, and that is a great thing because as you have shown, you've got a great photograph of someone you can see who it is, and so we will catch that person," said Oakland City Council member Pat Kernighan.

"With our limited resources, we can't be everywhere all the time," said Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan." So, we ask people to submit those videos."

Police are asking people to contact them if they recognize the suspects because, police said, they have likely committed dozens of crimes.