HOUSTON – Authorities are looking for a man believed to be responsible for several gas station robberies in west Houston.
According to police, the suspect walked into a Citgo gas station in the 11000 block of Katy Freeway on January 9 around 7:45 p.m.
Police said the suspect approached the checkout counter holding a handgun and demanded money from the cash register.
After taking the money, the suspect grabbed the victim’s cell phone, a pack of cigarettes and fled the scene on foot.
Police got a brief glimpse of the suspect after surveillance cameras in the parking lot recorded him removing a bandana from his face.
The suspect is described as a man with darker complexion, 20 to 25 years old and about 5 feet 9 inches tall. He has brown eyes and black hair.
Houston Police think the suspect has robbed the same gas station four times over the past two months.
The manager says he comes to the station a particular day when he knows only one employee will be in the store.
“He comes here with the gun and he tells my friends to open up the register. He takes the money, the second time he took the computer here. The third time he took my friend’s cell phone and one package of cigarettes,” said the manager, who wished to remain anonymous.
Police say he may have robbed as many as three other gas stations.
Just down the street at Phillips 66, the owner says he was robbed by the same suspect two months ago.
“It’s scary. The business is already slow and when somebody comes and robs you, takes the money. Sometimes I think I just hope he’s not going to hurt somebody, because life is precious,” said Muhammad Wohid.
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS (8477). A reward of up $5,000 will be given for any information that leads to an arrest.
