Check cashing store owner attacked by gunman in SW Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Last year, a southwest Houston check cashing business was robbed. The HPD investigator assigned to the case recommended the owner install an alarm system and a bullet proof cashier area.

The owner took the advice, but it didn't prevent another robbery March 21. In this one, the owner's wife, who is the manager, was robbed and beaten with a gun.

The new video surveillance system recorded it all.

The woman, who doesn't want to be identified, has yet to return to the store.

"I'm so scared, and I can't sleep," she told us.

The robber followed her as she unlocked the front door to go to work.

"I told him we're not open yet," she said.

That's when he pulled out a gun from a lunch box in his hand.

He demanded her purse.

"He said give me the money and started struggling with me and put me down," she said.

When she refused to give up her purse, he hit her in the face with the butt of the gun. Her cheekbone was fractured. She recently had the stitches removed from her face.

The robber was wearing a bright yellow shirt over another T-shirt. He left that as he ran away from the store with the woman's purse. He also left the lunchbox behind. It's being processed for DNA.

Investigator Kimberly Miller was disturbed by the video, which features "a very brutal attack."

"This victim is fighting for her life and her property because this is someone who's coming in her business, pointing a gun at her, demanding her property. She did the best she could and I'm glad she wasn't hurt worse."

It was not the first time the robber struck, Miller believes.

"He had watched this place, he was watching for her to come in. I think he's definitely capable of doing this again," Miller

Both the detective and the victim hope the video, and a Crime Stoppers reward will generate leads that would identify the robber.

The victim offers her own appeal.

"Please tell the authorities, because this is a very dangerous man," she said.