Reply #50: Masked robbers terrorizing north side restaurants [View All]

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A group of masked robbers terrorizing north Houston taquerias are merciless in their quest for cash, robbery investigators said Friday.

Armed with shotguns, pistols and knives, the robbers have beaten, shot at and stabbed even cooperative victims. Since Oct. 30, the group has stormed nine taquerias and a Denny's. The number of attacks is escalating, police say, with seven such heists occurring in the last two weeks alone.

"They are being very brutal," said investigator Roger Chappell. "They are injuring people inside these restaurants. Whether (the victims) are complying or not makes no difference. Unfortunately, we haven't had a lot of witnesses stay around that could give us information."

Police are advising restaurant operators to keep surveillance cameras in good condition and to be cautious of anyone lurking outside, especially groups of people in a car.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2309335