Motel worker shot twice after interrupting car burglars

HOUSTON – A motel worker was shot after he caught a group breaking into cars in north Houston.

According to investigators, the employee saw three men breaking into vehicles around 1 a.m. Thursday at the Quality Suites in the 15300 block of Vantage Parkway.

The general manager of the motel said the 27-year-old employee was watching surveillance cameras and saw headlights drive into the parking lot. When the employee went outside to check it out, at least one thief pulled out a gun and shot the worker five times , hitting him in the stomach and leg, investigators said.

The worker was taken to the hospital. The motel manager said the employee underwent surgery and is expected to be OK.

Two retired police officers who were staying at the hotel heard the gunshots and called 911, the manager said. The former officers stayed with the victim until paramedics arrived, she said.

The three thieves ran away before police arrived.

Investigators are looking for witnesses who might have seen the thieves or the vehicle they were driving.