HOUSTON – An accused robber is in police custody Tuesday — the other is still on the loose — months after a checking-cashing business was robbed in southwest Houston.
Samuel Raymond Espino, 27, is charged with two counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Houston police said his alleged cohort remains at large.
An employee of the Envios Y Mas store at 6607 Ashcroft was opening the store for business Monday morning when a Hispanic man, who the employee said was a regular customer, followed the employee inside. Police said the man pulled out a gun, forced the employee to open the drawers and took cash.
A second employee entered the store and attempted to leave after seeing the robbery in progress, but was stopped by a second armed man, police said.
Both employees were tied up in the back of the store. Police said the two men fled with cash.
Police released surveillance video of the robbery.
Acting on Crime Stoppers tip, investigators said they were able to identify and arrest Espino on April 6. The second alleged robber is still on the run.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the HPD Robbery Division at 713-308-0700 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.