HOUSTON – A suspect was shot during an armored truck robbery Thursday morning at a bank in west Houston, and another suspect is still on the run.
Law enforcement sources first reported to KPRC 2′s Mario Diaz that the robbery occurred near the Bank of America located on Westheimer Road and near Old Farm Road at around 11:45 a.m.
Houston Police Department officials confirmed to KPRC 2′s Zachery Lashway that the suspects ambushed the armored truck, which was driven by a female driver accompanied by a male security guard. The suspects attacked the two, spraying them with pepper spray.
The security guard fired his weapon in self-defense, shooting one of the suspects. Neither of the employees were harmed.
The other suspect left the scene in a black SUV after the shots were fired.
The suspect who was shot was later confirmed to be a 17-year-old teenage boy. First responders had to remove some of his clothing to care for his wounds. Authorities have kept the clothing as evidence.
KPRC 2′s Isa Gonzalez Montilla spoke to a man who was near the scene during the robbery, but didn’t directly see it happen. Freddy, who did not provide a last name, said he heard gunshots and saw the suspects’ vehicle driving around the area before leaving the scene. He hid behind cars in the parking lot as the suspects’ vehicle approached him. He said authorities arrived after the suspects had left.
HPD detectives believe that the robbers were staking out the area, awaiting the truck’s arrival for the planned heist.
Initial reports indicated that there were four total suspects involved in the crime. HPD would not provide an exact number, however, they later said that “more than two” suspects remained at large. Several hours later, HPD told KPRC 2′s Joy Addison that there were actually just two robbers involved in the crime, and now only one remains at large.
Houston Fire Department sources said the teen was transported to Ben Taub Hospital with one or more gunshot wounds. They were not able to reveal his identity, but they later confirmed he was 17 years old.
Authorities do not believe the remaining on-the-run suspect is still in the area. It’s still unclear whether or not he was able to get away with any money from the robbery.
This incident is the latest in a pattern of violent robberies targeting armored vehicles delivering cash to various locations across Houston.
In December, KPRC 2 reported on a different armored car robbery, during which three men sprayed a truck courier in the eyes with a substance during the heist. FBI Houston dubbed those men as the “Scrooge Sprayers,” and it’s currently unclear whether these crimes are related.
MORE INFO: FBI Houston seeks men dubbed ‘Scrooge Sprayers’ after violent robbery of armored car courier
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