Robbers Target Shoppers In Daylight (NW Hou)

[Mike1951]

http://www.click2houston.com/news/15117944/detail.html

HOUSTON -- When it comes to parking lot robberies, many Houstonians have the same mindset.

"I try not to think about it," Patty Hernandez said.

But according to officials with Crime Stoppers of Houston, that is the best way to become the victim of two armed robbers who are targeting women in store parking lots.

The two men were captured in surveillance video as they left a northwest Harris County store.

Investigators said the men did not even wait for the cover of night.

"It's just something you have to be aware of at all times," Tammy Shook said. "Even whenever you're inside."

Crime Stoppers spokesperson Ray Wathen agreed.

He said the men who robbed a woman at a Wal-Mart on F.M. 529 near Highway 6 on Jan. 16 and another woman at a Target Store F.M. 1960 at Eldridge Parkway at about 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 14, may be in a store looking for their next victim.

"They pick a victim inside the store (then) follow them outside," Wathen said. "It's not like they just drive up and say, 'Oh, there's one, let's go get 'em.' Most of the time they're picking them out in the store."

Witnesses reported seeing the men leave in a silver or bronze Pontiac with Cadillac-style rims.

The surveillance pictures may be a bit unclear, but Wathen said he believes the people who know these men will be able to identify them.

"Pick up the phone and call Crime Stoppers," Wathen said. "You'll remain anonymous. It'll put you in line for a reward that could be as much as $5,000."

In the meantime, the easiest way for shoppers to avoid becoming a victim is to be aware of their surroundings and move quickly to their cars.

"They need to get caught. It's just a matter of time until the next person," shopper Justin Johnson said. "They've done it twice and I have no doubt that they'll do it again."

"If we don't get them off the street they're going to become more dangerous," Wathen said. "And at some time, someone may decide not to cooperate and may wind up injured or dead. We want to get them off the street before that happens."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

[The Annoyed Man]

It's a powerful argument for being aware of one's surroundings at all times.

[ducks4brkfast]

Sure wish they would have included in the article what these guys are using to rob people.

In other words, I'm assuming since no mention of a weapon is made, they're using some other method.

[lrb111]

A description of the perps would be nice, but (insert standard rant about useless inane media) that would probably be asking too much.

[Mike1951]

The link in my original post had a couple of very poor quality photos.

[stevie_d_64]

A description of the perps would be nice, but (insert standard rant about useless inane media) that would probably be asking too much.

[dihappy]

Haha, i think its more likely that if theyre not caught and they keep doing this, that THEY will be the ones getting hurt...by a bullet.

[3dfxMM]

Sure wish they would have included in the article what these guys are using to rob people.

In other words, I'm assuming since no mention of a weapon is made, they're using some other method.

The article mentions them being armed and the video at the link in the original post mentions one of them pulling his gun.

[zbordas]

Haha, i think its more likely that if theyre not caught and they keep doing this, that THEY will be the ones getting hurt...by a bullet.

I certainly hope so...

[M9FAN]

Haha, i think its more likely that if theyre not caught and they keep doing this, that THEY will be the ones getting hurt...by a bullet.

I certainly hope so...

+1