Dollar store robberies on the rise

Police hope surveillance video will lead them to suspects

BAYTOWN, Texas – A rash of dollar store robberies in Baytown has police working extra hard trying to find the suspects.

The most recent store to get hit was the Family Dollar located in the 1300 block of Garth Road.  On Wednesday two robbers walked in wearing masks. One was carrying a gun and the other a crowbar. They demanded cash from the register and then left the area.  

Baytown police believe they, and maybe others who have been working with them, have been targeting dollar stores in the area.  A detective said most of the stores in the area have been hit twice.

Workers at one of the store said they think they're easy targets because the dollar stores are generally pretty busy and they generate a lot of cash. 

Some of the robberies have occurred in the middle of the day, which has customers worried.

"It's kind of dangerous stopping at these stores," said one shopper who didn't want to be identified.  "Especially since we know they've been hit previously."

"That is scary, that's scary.," said Ebony Walker.  "Police need to do more about it."

They are. Detectives are determined to catch these crooks before they hit again. They're also hoping some surveillance images from inside the store will help and ask anyone with information to contact them. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Baytown Crime Stoppers at 281-427-8477.