Crooks target family of 4, shoot man who tried to help victims

HOUSTON – A family of four was fast asleep in their north Houston home when armed crooks busted into their home Sunday morning, police said.

Around 4:30 a.m., four suspects broke down the front door of a house on Antoine and Maple Hill, pointed guns at the victims and demanded cash.

"I was sleeping," said William Espinoza, one of the victims. "He turned on my lights. He told me to [put] my face down on my pillow, and he tapped the gun on my head and asked, 'Where's your money? Where's your gold? Where's your phone?' I told him my phone was charging right there, and I told him I didn't have any money."

Police said the suspects took jewelry, a laptop, cell phones, and other valuables. 

According to police, while the crooks were running from bedroom to bedroom, the homeowner managed to escape by breaking out through his bedroom window and ran to the street to flag down a passing car.

Police said a man driving a Mercedes saw the victim, pulled over, and got out to help.

"He was a guy my dad found in the streets, I guess driving," said William. "[My dad] told him that we were getting robbed, and he helped us out."

But when one of the thieves spotted the Good Samaritan at the front door of the house, he shot him once in the leg.

"The burglar saw him (the Good Samaritan) and they shot, and he got shot. My dad saw him on the ground in the front, I guess he walked over here, and the man was still on the floor, but still asked him if he was okay. He is a good man," said William.

Police said the four suspects then took off running through a golf course behind the house. The burglars got away with jewelry and electronics.

The shooting victim was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

So far, no arrests have been made.

Anyone with any information on this burglary and shooting is asked to contact your local law enforcement agency.