HOUSTON – Radio Shack has started stationing armed off-duty police officers in stores in the Houston area, according to police sources.
The extra security comes after a string of armed robberies at Radio Shack retailers.
Sources told KPRC Local 2 the company is paying officers $35 an hour to provide security at 30 stores in and around Houston.
The officers work dayside and evening shifts as extra jobs.
The decision was made after Radio Shack executives and Houston police met last week to discuss ways to combat the robberies.
The most recent robbery was caught on video at a store in Meadows Place. Around 5 p.m. Thursday, a masked man walked into the store and stuck a gun in the cashier's back then forced her to empty cash register, authorities said.
Robbery detectives said at least eight area stores have been targeted by armed robbers since April. At least two stores have experienced attempted robberies in that time.
Houston police have not provided specifics about officers at Radio Shack, only saying there have been discussions between Radio Shack loss prevention officers and Houston robbery detectives.
KPRC Local 2's calls to Radio Shack's corporate offices Friday were not returned.