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The robberies began in May of this year. Police say a group of Hispanic men would go into a small mom and pop type insurance office and rob the business at gunpoint.
HPD investigator Colleen Nelson says the group has now robbed a total of 31 businesses in various parts of Houston. Usually there’s just one employee inside at the time.
“The suspects come in and they start asking about quotes for insurance and then, they pull out guns and they are making the victim get up from their desk and go into the bathroom.”
So far the robbers haven’t used their weapons. Although the victims have been tied up, no one has been injured. But police are worried that may eventually change as the group continues its crime spree. Authorities have several images captured from surveillance cameras that they are giving to local TV stations in hopes of bringing the criminals to justice.
“I’m hoping that someone will recognize the images or that these guys have been bragging about what they’re doing to people. And we need to stop them. It’s absolutely horrible that these guys would victimize these working people like this and it effects their family and the whole community.”
Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call the Houston Police Departments robbery division at 713-308- 0700.
Bill Stamps, KUHF-Houston Public Radio News.