HOUSTON – Three men suspected of committing at least nine robberies at ATMs have been arrested, Houston police said Monday.
Investigators said the trio preyed on victims as they used ATMs in bank parking lots on Westheimer Road.
Jamarcus Terrel White, Andre Nathan Howard and Warren Anthony Howard, were charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. White and Andre Howard were charged with multiple counts.
Investigators said the three are known gang members originally from Louisiana.
HPD westside tactical officers caught the suspects in the act as they robbed a victim at an ATM at 11560 Westheimer Road at 8:45 p.m. on Oct. 29, police said.
"We had one officer across the street with binoculars, watching this happen," Lt. Tim Kubiak said. "It happens instantaneously. The whole robbery may have taken 20 seconds."
The men were caught after a short chase.
Officers said there were two rifles and one semiautomatic pistol in the vehicle, along with ski masks and three pairs of black gloves, investigators said.
The suspects robbed victims at gunpoint of cash and numerous items, including cellphones, purses and wallets while the victims were using ATMs outside of banks. None of the victims was seriously injured.
Investigators said they were glad the men were arrested before the violence escalated.
"They start, perhaps, as a strong-arm robbery and then they use a weapon and they progress to hurting somebody and eventually shooting somebody and perhaps killing a complainant," Kubiak said.
The three are believed responsible for robbing citizens in the following incidents:
- Oct. 21 – about 10:20 p.m. at 11560 Westheimer
- Oct. 23 – about 9:15 p.m. at 10420 Westheimer
- Oct. 23 – about 10:05 p.m. at 10420 Westheimer
- Oct. 23 – about 10:30 p.m. at 10118 Westheimer
- Oct. 25 – about 9:05 p.m. at 8081 Westheimer
- Oct. 25 – about 10:25 p.m. at 10101 Westheimer
- Oct. 27 – about 10:10 p.m. at 8384 Westheimer
- Oct. 27 – about 10:35 p.m. at 10411 Westheimer
- Oct. 29 - about 8:45 p.m. at 11560 Westheimer
"Of course, they're not going to admit to more than what I have, but I think this was just a crime spree for them. There are some additional cases in Harris County, outside the city limits," Officer Kim Miller said.
Anyone with information in any additional incidents involving these suspects is asked to contact the HPD Robbery Division at 713-308-0700.