Woman robbed by man dressed in city uniform

HOUSTON There are several agencies involved in this investigation: the Houston Police Department, the Office of Inspector General and the Public Works Department. The victim, a single mother of three, says she thought the man was a City of Houston worker until he pulled a gun on her and demanded cash.

Laquisia Brass was responding to a knock on the door of her southeast Houston home Wednesday morning. She says she saw a City of Houston truck parked outside and she is certain the city seal was on the side.

Next, the worker said there were some water issues in the area.

"He said, 'All the water is contaminated in the neighborhood. I need to check your water,'" said Brass.

So she let the man she says was wearing a badge and safety vest into her home.

"The guy had the City of Houston clothes on, the City of Houston hat, he had everything on him," said Brass.

He asked where the kitchen sink was, then the bathroom and called Brass into the room.

"I bent down like this and then he put the gun up to my head and said, 'Give me your money, all that you got,'" Brass said.

The noise had disturbed her three sleeping children ages 11, 12, and 13.

"My little boy said, 'You'd better get out, leave my mama alone.' He said, 'You'd better get your kids before I kill them,'" she said.

Brass ran to her drawer to give the man the only money she had, $400 to finish her Christmas shopping and buy food for Christmas dinner.

The thief also put a gun to her daughter's head.

"I said, 'Please, sir, she is just a child,'" said Brass.

He grabbed her children's computer but after begging him not to take it, he threw it onto the couch.

"I'm glad he didn't get the gifts under the tree," Brass said.

It was a whirlwind of scary moments endured by the single mom who works two jobs to provide for her family.

Brass says she saw the uniformed man running down Maggie Street and claims the city truck was right behind him.

"Just don't open your door for anybody," said Brass.

While he took several hundred dollars, he left something behind - his clipboard. It's now in the hands of police.

he city says public works employees do not go into homes unless they have an appointment.

The suspect is described as a black man about 5'10" tall, around 200 pounds and 25-35 years old. He was clean shaven and had a chipped front tooth.

Call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS if you have any information.