On Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at around 10:10 am, two unknown males entered a smoke shop, located at the 1100 block of Broadway, in Houston, Texas. The males first acted like customers and selected various items from within the store. One of the males then walked to the front door while the second male approached the counter, pulled out a handgun from his waistband, and demanded the money from the cash register. The suspect then jumped over the counter and escorted the female employee to the back office. Once the suspects had the money and various items from within the store, they fled the location in an unknown direction. Houston PD #544974-24
Suspect description: Hispanic male, 20
to 26 years old, black hoodie and dark pants.
Suspect #2: Hispanic male, mustache, red
pullover and black pants.
1. Employees
and employers should always remain alert and observant. Things to watch for:
• People
wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather, such as heavy coats during warm
weather.
• Suspicious or unusual behavior from customers.
2. Always
have a plan. Have regular safety meetings to develop and discuss your
"plan". Some of the elements of a good plan could include the
following:
• Follow
the robber's directions, but do not volunteer more than he asks for. Advise the
robber of any unusual moves you must make and assure him you will cooperate. If
possible, activate the alarm only if you can do so safely without detection.
• MAKE
MENTAL NOTES -- Make a mental note of the robber's race, age, height sex,
clothing, complexion, color of hair and eyes, etc. Note anything unusual about
the robber, such as scars or tattoos.
• Have
good quality working surveillance cameras inside the store
• Keep
cash at a minimum, and post notices in the doorway of this fact.
• Mark the edge of the main doorway with measuring tape. This will help in obtaining a more accurate height of the suspects.
