Police released surveillance video Monday in hopes it will help them identify three suspects wanted in about two dozen robberies in north Houston.
Since December 6th, the trio has hit at least 23 businesses near the intersection of Little York Rd and Antoine Dr.
Some businesses were robbed twice, including the seafood restaurant owned by Marissa Pi's family in the 6400 blk of Antoine. The suspects struck there on December 10 and then again Dec. 18.
" It was scary," Pi said. "I mean, you don't know. It happened so quick. They just jumped over the counter.
After the last robbery, the family installed a glass barrier over the counter to protect employees.
"We had to do something.' Ms. Pi told Local 2 News.
Robbery detectives say the men have robbed liquor stores, beauty supply houses, and an auto parts store, as well as restaurants.
In every robbery, they wear masks and gloves, and are always armed. They threaten store employees and customers, and police fear they are becoming more violent.
"Luckily no one has been injured physically during any of these incidents." HPD Robbery Detecitve Ken Nealy said, buts adds, "They have shown their anger when they are committing these robberies, so we do not want them to continue.'
A break in the case came December 23d when the men robbed an O'Reilly Auto Parts store in the 2600 block of Tidwell. One of the suspects removed his mask and his face was captured on surveillance video.
He suspect and the the other two suspects are described only as a black male in thier teens or early 20s, about 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet tall. Police say they've been seen driving a black, four door vehicle.
Robbery detectives are asking anyone who knows them or has information to call Houston Crime Stoppers or the Houston Police Dept Robbery Division.
They are believed to have been involved in robberies of the following businesses.
- 7303 Breen - Boost Mobile on Nov. 23
- 6100 W. Tidwell – Metro Mart on Dec. 6
- 6923 Antoine – EJ Beauty Supply on Dec. 6
- 5426 Antoine – Timmy Chans on Dec. 8
- 6002 Antoine – Beauty Empire on Dec. 10
- 6505 Antoine – Shrimp Island on Dec. 10
- 8011 Antoine – Church's Chicken on Dec. 10
- 6436 Antoine – Taco Bell on Dec. 15
- 1420 Gulf Bank - Dollar General on Dec. 15
- 200 Aldine Bender - Subway on Dec. 15
- 5744 W. Little York – Subway on Dec. 18
- 6405 Antoine – Shrimp Island on Dec. 18
- 5558 Antoine – Ralston Liquor on Dec. 19
- 7702 W. Montgomery – Chick and Chung on Dec. 19
- 6060 Oak Bay -
- 611 W. Little York – Kentucky Fried Chicken on Dec. 21
- 6923 Antoine – EJ Beauty Supply on Dec. 21
- 933 Pinemont - Strip Center /Business Park
- 5323 Antoine – Subway on Dec. 22
- 7502 N. Shepherd – Jack in the Box on Dec. 22
- 6301 North Freeway – McDonald's on Dec. 22
- 100 East Crosstimbers – McDonald's on Dec. 22
- 2655 Tidwell - O'Reilly Auto Parts on Dec. 23
- 703 Little York - Dairy Queen on Dec. 23
- 2218 Little York - Jack in the Box on Dec. 23
- 5760 Little York - Sun Shop Beauty Supply on Dec. 26
- 7028 Antoine - Metro PCS on Dec. 26
- 7728 Lockwood - Dollar General on Dec. 29
Anyone who can identify the suspect in the photo or the other two suspects should call the HPD Robbery Division at 713-308-0700 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.