Authorities investigate hate crimes at convenience stores in Harris County

Deputy constables: Man threatened to kill clerk, burn store down because he is Muslim

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Authorities are investigating possible hate crimes at several convenient stores in north Houston and Harris County.

On Monday morning, Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constables arrested 32-year-old Carlos Marroquin after a convenience store clerk at the Shell gas station at 6007 FM 2920 reported a man saying racial slurs and making terroristic threats.

Deputy constables said the suspect threatened to kill the store clerk and burn his store down because he was a Muslim.

Marroquin went to at least three different convenient store locations Monday morning making similar threats, according to investigators. Deputy constables obtained statements from witnesses at each location.

Multiple store clerks in the area told KPRC Local 2 that a man making similar threats came into their convenient store Sunday afternoon.

The store clerks showed surveillance video of the man coming in and speaking to the clerks. One video shows the man attacking the clerk.

The convenience store clerks said they are not Muslim. Authorities are trying to figure out if the cases are connected.

On Tuesday morning, Marroquin was out on bond. He's expected to appear in court on April 8.