HOUSTON -- A customer who was robbed by three masked men inside a Houston Waffle House restaurant said he tried to stop the suspects with his gun.
Charlton Houston was inside the Waffle House in Greenspoint having breakfast when one of the armed men pointed a gun at him and demanded his wallet.
“I thought it was just a regular customer coming in, but he put the gun on me so I just kind of leaned back and he said give me everything in your pocket,” Houston said.
While customers and employees were ducking for cover, the three suspects didn't let anyone leave and robbed nearly everyone in the restaurant. They took wallets, purses and cell phones.
Houston said he had $600 in cash on him that night and was not happy that he had to part with it.
“My driver’s license; my whole wallet. My Social Security card, too,” Houston said. “I didn't have my gun with me. It was in my car.”
So after the three suspects took off running, Houston ran to his car to get his gun.
“I was pumping. I’m trying to get my money back. They took my wallet -- everything,” Houston said.
So with gun in hand he chased them to their getaway vehicle. It was parked behind a nearby gas station.
“I shot like 15 times. I shot five times running, and I get to the gate I shot 10 more times,” Houston said.
He saw them drive away in a white, older-model Chevy Tahoe -- n SUV that now has bullet holes in the tailgate.
“I know I hit the truck,” Houston said.
The Houston Police Department said investigators checked all the hospital emergency rooms the next day, but there were no records of anyone in the area that was treated for a gunshot wound.
Police said the dangerous suspects are still at large.
Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.
If you have a tip, call 713-222-8477.
