Customers held at gunpoint at Denny's in NE Harris Co.

Deputies: Customers punched and choked during robbery

HOUSTON – Harris County deputies are looking for five men who stormed into a northeast Harris County Denny's early Thursday morning, investigators said.

A sign on the restaurant on the North Sam Houston Parkway East near Wilson Road declares the restaurant closed while deputies investigate.

According to HCSO, the five masked  men orchestrated a take-over style robbery armed with a semi-automatic weapons.

Witnesses said the men pointed guns at the employees and customers and demanded all of the money in the register.

Rashawn Hughes works at the Denny's.

She said, "The one with the big rifle he was the leader.  He took my manager in the back.  I just stood still."

She said the robbers even attacked hearing impaired customers, choking and punching them as they took their belongings.

When it was all over, deputies said the robbers got away with about $1,000.

Deputies said the robbers were last spotted driving away in a beige Ford F-150.

Perhaps the most significant evidence in the case so far are fingerprints according to deputies.

They said one or more of the robbers were not wearing gloves.

Deputies said surveillance video may also provide clues that will help them find the robbers.

No one was seriously hurt.