HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Authorities with Harris County Sheriff’s Office are looking for a man who robbed a north Harris County tire shop on Tuesday.
It happened on Easthampton Drive near the Eastex Freeway shortly before 2:30 p.m.
Owner Mike Hastings told KPRC 2 that he was working on a vehicle with one of his employees when the suspect, who he said acted as a customer, walked inside the office area where his wife and brother were working in.
Without any warning, Hastings said he saw his brother get pistol-whipped in the head by the suspect, breaking his finger in the process with no opportunity to defend himself. He also saw his wife thrown to the ground after she tried to escape.
Hastings said that multiple items were allegedly stolen by the suspect, including keys and personal items such as wallets.
“Sometimes, as a family, we have to cut up our losses and suck up the pain,” he said.
The brother and the wife had to be taken to the ER to be treated for minor injuries. Hastings said his wife is too scared to return to the shop.
Hastings said his business has security cameras throughout, but he believed it wasn’t enough to deter the robber.
Deputies said the man wore a black bucket hat, black hoodie with the word “Champion” displayed in the front, red and black shorts, and black Croc slippers. Hastings said surveillance video showed the suspect taking off in a vehicle with two other suspects inside. The vehicle apparently did not have a license plate.
“There’s not enough out there to stop it. Not enough to catch it,” he said. “The more people come forward and come forth with information, if you see something, say something. You don’t have to intervene. You don’t have to put yourself in harm’s way.”
Anyone with information in this case is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.