Robbery detectives were busy on the rooftop of this small strip center on East Tidwell on Monday investigating how two gunmen broke into a couple of stores, including an ACE Cash Express.
HPD Sgt. Francisco Fernandez said, "It appears that some suspects came in overnight through the roof of an adjoining business, came in through an adjoining wall, and waited for the employees to come in."
Police say those armed thieves ambushed a worker as she arrived Monday morning. They say another employee's husband, who holds a concealed handgun license, saw the attack from his car and fired shots, injuring one of the suspects.
Restaurant manager Gabriel Gomez said, "We've been robbed many times at this place also."
Gomez manages a taqueria just a few doors away from the check cashing place. He's says the robbery and break-in isn't surprising. Gomez told me they've had to patch up the walls at his restaurant after several burglaries where thieves gotten in by breaking through the walls.
Police say at the ACE Cash Express the gunmen hid out behind the counter all night waiting for workers to arrive.
Business owner Ahmad Ali said, "I mean, I don't see no reason for people doing that."
Ali says being victim to crimes like this is what's making him give up the convenience stores he owns.
"It's very, very, very hard to take it," he said. "It's stressful, very stressful. We cannot even sleep as business people."
This robbery has businesses on edge and worried about safety. Police are asking anyone with information about the robbery to call Crime Stoppers.
Find Demond on Facebook at ABC13DemondFernandez or on Twitter at @demondfernandez
Take ABC13 with you!
Download our free apps for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
