Clerk hit by pickup truck during attempted smash and grab robbery

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- They almost got away with it, but then their getaway truck stalled.

Police say four robbers left empty handed after smashing their way into a Shell station on Almeda at Old Spanish Trail in the Medical Center/Hermann Park area early this morning.

The store was open around 3am when the crooks backed a Ford pickup truck into the front of the store, nearly hitting the clerk. The clerk was injured by some of the flying debris, but only suffered minor injuries.

The crooks loaded the store's ATM into the back of the truck, but when they tried to get away, their vehicle stalled and they couldn't get it to restart.

All four men then took off on foot. They've not been captured.

The store estimates the attempted robbery caused up to $30,000 in damage. Police are now reviewing the surveillance video to see if they recognize any of the criminals.