Store clerk says violent north Harris County robbery could've been deadly

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Deputies need your help to find five men involved in a violent and aggressive convenience store robbery in north Harris County.

It happened Tuesday night at the Food Mart near the Hardy Toll Road and East Airtex.

The store manager shared surveillance video with Eyewitness News showing four of the men jumping out of a white sedan around 11pm, then cornering a store clerk who was in the midst of closing the shop for the night.

"He said, like 'Open door, open door, give me money,' then he asked for my wallet, too, but I didn't have a wallet," said the clerk, Yohan Indika.

Indika backed into the store, staring at the weapons. He and another clerk complied with the gunmen's demands, getting on the ground then handing over all the cash in the register, totaling nearly $3,000.

"They take the money, it's OK, but money is not important, life is important," said store manager Zulu Ali.

In the middle of the hold-up, a bullet dropped out of one of the suspect's guns. Indika said he believed that bullet was meant for him, adding he thinks his prayers during those few heart-pounding minutes are what kept him alive.

"It's very scary, very scary," he said.

Anyone with information on this robbery should call the Harris County Sheriff's Department.