A bank robbery in west Houston took a dramatic turn this morning when one of the suspects was shot during an attempted heist of an armored truck. The incident unfolded with a burst of gunfire, leaving one suspect injured while the other managed to escape.
The robbery took place near the Bank of America on Westheimer Road and Old Farm Road around 11:45 a.m., according to law enforcement sources who informed KPRC 2’s Mario Diaz.
According to Houston Police Department officials, the armored truck was ambushed by the suspects. The truck was being driven by a female driver who was accompanied by a male security guard. The suspects attacked the two by spraying them with pepper spray.
In an act of self-defense, the security guard discharged his firearm and successfully shot one of the suspects. Thankfully, neither of the employees suffered any injuries during the incident.
After the shots were fired, the other suspect made a quick getaway in a black SUV.
The authorities have confirmed that the suspect who was shot is a 17-year-old teenage boy. When first responders arrived at the scene, they had to remove some of his clothing in order to provide proper medical care for his wounds. The authorities have decided to keep the clothing as evidence in the ongoing investigation.
During the robbery, a man who was near the scene but didn’t witness it directly shared his account with KPRC 2’s Isa Gonzalez Montilla. The man, called Freddy, explained that he heard gunshots and noticed the suspects’ vehicle driving around the vicinity before they made their escape. To protect himself, Freddy sought refuge behind cars in the parking lot as the suspects’ vehicle approached him. By the time authorities arrived, the suspects had already fled the scene.
HPD detectives believe the robbers were scouting out the location, waiting for the vehicle to arrive for the intended theft.
According to initial accounts, the crime included four suspects. HPD declined to disclose a precise number but later stated that “more than two” suspects were at large. Several hours later, HPD informed KPRC 2’s Joy Addison that there were only two thieves engaged in the crime, and only one is still at large.
Officials from the Houston Fire Department took the teen to Ben Taub Hospital after he sustained one or more gunshot wounds. They were unable to reveal his identity, but eventually confirmed that he was 17 years old.
Authorities do not believe the last on-the-run suspect is still in the region. It’s still unknown whether he was able to escape with any money from the crime.
This is the latest in a series of violent robberies targeting armored cars transporting cash to various places in Houston.
In December, KPRC 2 reported on a separate armored car robbery in which three individuals splashed a truck courier in the eyes with a chemical. The FBI Houston dubbed those men the “Scrooge Sprayers,” and the connection between the crimes remains unclear.
