HOUSTON, Texas – Claudia Callejas said she spent her Thursday morning like any other day, visiting Uncle Bean’s Coffee Shop at the corner of Houston Avenue and Alma Street. But her morning routine changed when two would-be robbers grabbed her bag.
She had her tablet out and coffee not too far. She put her backpack in the chair to her left.
“It’s so instinctive, you have, like, one second to make a split decision,” Callejas recalled. “I processed it very quickly assess the situation. Yes, I have a chance.”
Callejas was seen chasing after the two.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Woman takes down purse snatchers at Houston coffee shop
“So, she ran over here, she saw her chance and, you know, and then I just kind of pushed her or whatever it was tackle. I don’t know what happened, but we both fell,” Callejas shared with KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun. “Then she kind of looked at me like, startled, like what just happened. And I had my backpack. So, I was like, I have my backpack. What are you going to do? And she looked at me and just started running off.”
The two ran away down Alma Street.
The Houston Police Department is now investigating the incident.
The mother said she chased after the two because of an important priceless sentimental notebook in her backpack.
“This how my sister told me that my and these Camila was going to be born,” Callejas said. “So, I had a sentimental value. I can’t replace this.”
Law enforcement stresses that if you’re ever in a robbery situation, to just give the robbers whatever they’re demanding.
On a video posted this week on social media, Houston police robbery division share purse and wallet theft prevention tips.
“Purse and wallet thefts are often referred to as crimes of opportunity,” the video said. “One of the most effective ways to prevent purse and wallet theft is to always be aware of your surroundings. Prevent becoming a potential target by taking the opportunity away from the thief.”
“After you pushed her on the ground, you two are, like, kind of tussling here. You get your bag. She looks shocked at you,” Balogun asked.
“Grabbing the bag like if the bag was like my baby. That’s all I wanted,” Callejas said. “I didn’t want to hurt her. She seems young actually. I have a 20-year-old daughter. You know I didn’t want to hurt her. I’m not even mad at her.”
Houston police is asking for anyone with information about the two in the surveillance video to call them.