HOUSTON -- Nine people were arrested in connection with 22 robberies that terrorized bar customers, police told KPRC Local 2 Monday.

Investigators said the suspects eluded police for months until one of them used a stolen cell phone from a customer.

Police said Marsela Vargas, 37, pawned jewelry that her two sons, Predro Vargas, 18, and Cesar Vargas, 20, stole.

"We went out and finally talked to mom and she knew why we were there the second time we went out and talked to her. And, basically, she realized that her kids were in trouble and they realized once we told her that we had her pawning jewelry, that she pretty much gave us the statement," said Officer Richard Rodriguez with the HPD Robbery Division.

Marsela Vargas was charged with theft while the sons were both charged with two counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. The six other suspects were also charged with two counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. The youngest suspect is 13 years old, police said.

The group targeted bar and cantina customers from June through October, officials said. It started in the Heights and then moved to the 2nd Ward on the eastside.

"They did this in conjunction with being desperate -- they needed money. We're very fortunate that we had no one that was hurt during these robberies. Basically, they were all told to lie down on the floor while a firearm was pointed at them or knives while the others went in and pretty much searched the customers, grabbed their wallets, grabbed their jewelry, went to the cash register, grabbed the money, in some cases took beer, in some cases took cigarettes from the bars," Rodriguez said.

Some of the suspects are teenagers so their identities were not released.

Police said the group stole more than $25,000.

Officials said they do not yet know if the robbery suspects are in the country legally. Immigration Customs Enforcement agents are also investigating.