HOUSTON – Houston police are releasing surveillance video of a man being followed and robbed in an area where many people shop and dine.
On March 21, Houston police responded to reports of a robbery in the parking garage of the River Oaks District, which is located in the 4400 block of Westheimer near the Galleria.
The man, who KPRC 2 is only identifying as Stanley, said he was with a friend, and they had just left a restaurant in the shopping district. When they were getting into their car, two armed men got out of the gray Volkswagen Jetta that was parked next to them and robbed him.
“When I come to my side, two guys hopped out of the car right next to me and put to the gun to my face and said, ‘Give me your watch,’” Stanley told KPRC 2. “He said get on your knees. So I got on my knees.”
Stanley said it felt like minutes, but it only took seconds for the two men to rob him and get away with his $16,000 watch.
“I handed the watch to the guy that was behind me, and so, when I gave him my watch, he was like, ‘Where’s your cash? Where’s your money?’ And I said, ‘I don’t have cash,’” he said.
Neither Stanley nor his friend was hurt.
This robbery at River Oaks District is part of a disturbing trend that Crime Stoppers of Houston said involves armed robbers following diners and shoppers from restaurants and stores.
As KPRC 2 reported on April 23, police say a couple was robbed at gunpoint in the Tanglewood neighborhood.
The couple had just left the River Oaks District. The suspects stole the man’s watch and shot him in the face.
On April 5, in the Afton Oaks neighborhood, police say a couple was followed there from the Galleria. The couple was robbed and a watch was taken. That robbery led to a shoot-out between the victims and the suspects. Fortunately, no one was injured.
On Tuesday, KPRC 2 obtained a picture of two men robbing a man at the Shops at Arrive River Oaks at the corner of Westheimer and Kirby. It happened in early March.
“I’m hoping they get caught because a lot of us work hard for our stuff,” said Stanley.
The River Oaks District released the following statement to KPRC 2:
“With the uptick of crime in Houston, River Oaks District has further increased its existing security measures. The property has always had a comprehensive security program that includes private security and off-duty police department officers.”
Crime Stoppers of Houston said they cannot confirm if the armed robberies are connected.
If you have information about the robberies or the suspects, please call 713-222-TIPS.