Houston police are asking for an extra set of eyes across the city as they search for a man accused of pulling off a late-night aggravated robbery at a service station along the Katy Freeway, then sprinting to a Cadillac SUV and speeding away.
The holdup happened around midnight on May 19 at a store in the 5300 block of the Katy Freeway. Investigators say a brief struggle with the clerk ended the encounter before the suspect took off in what looked like a silver or gray Cadillac SUV. Detectives have now pushed out surveillance stills and are reminding residents that anonymous tipsters who go through Crime Stoppers could walk away with a cash reward.
What police released
According to Houston Police Robbery, the case is logged as HPD #639693-26. Detectives say the man walked into the store just after midnight and asked for cigarettes. When the clerk requested identification, the customer allegedly pulled a handgun, went behind the counter, and wrestled with the employee before bolting out the door.
He then ran to a silver or gray four-door Cadillac SUV parked outside and took off, investigators say. The bulletin describes the suspect as a white or Hispanic male, about 5'5" to 5'7", with shoulder-length curly hair. At the time, he was wearing dark jeans and a light-colored shirt, details detectives hope will jog someone’s memory.
How to report tips
Crime Stoppers of Houston says tipsters could be eligible for up to $5,000 if their information leads to the charging or arrest of the suspect, but there is a catch: you have to contact the nonprofit directly to qualify.
Tip options include calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a web tip or using the Crime Stoppers mobile app, as outlined by Crime Stoppers of Houston. Anyone reaching out is asked to reference HPD case number 639693-26 so information gets to the Robbery Division without delay.
Pattern in west Houston
The Robbery Division has recently posted several wanted bulletins tied to the Katy Freeway corridor and surrounding west Houston neighborhoods, frequently leaning on surveillance images to shake loose fresh leads. Local reporting has highlighted how officers keep turning to Crime Stoppers rewards once cameras capture clear stills but names remain a mystery, according to Katy Freeway heist. The idea is to crowdsource details such as clothing, hair, vehicles or other small cues that might finally crack a case.
Legal penalties
Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony in Texas when a deadly weapon is used or serious bodily injury occurs. That level of charge carries a possible sentence of five to 99 years or life in prison, plus fines of up to $10,000, according to Texas statutes.
Right now, investigators say they are focused on putting a name to the face seen in the surveillance images. No arrest tied to a specific suspect has been announced. Anyone who recognizes the man or the Cadillac SUV in the released photos is urged to contact Crime Stoppers or Houston Police Robbery.
