Nine kids arrested for string of robberies on popular bike trail

HOUSTON

Nate Lubke was out for a run when he says a young man approached him.

He said, "My dog barked at a kid and the kid pulled a gun out on me. I was like, I don't want any trouble and the guy just went along on his bike. It was crazy."

Houston police have arrested nine juveniles -- the youngest just 10 years old and the oldest 16. They're accused of at least 20 robberies on and around the Colombia Tap trail since May.

"Complainants have been struck in the back of the head and knocked off their bikes and at that point the suspects would jump on top of them and start attacking and take their property," said Houston Police Captain Glenn Yorek.

Investigators say the young suspects targeted cyclists for their high end bicycles, wallets, and iPods. As weapons, police say they used rocks, bricks, and in a few instances, guns. Some victims were seriously injured.

"In fact, one of them is in surgery today -- a broken collarbone, three broken ribs, a very bad beating," said HPD gang investigator Jose Coronado.

The suspects were arrested at school. Police say they're part of a highly organized gang.

"We think we have all of this group," said HPD gang investigator Gary Young. "These guys are like anybody else -- they network. So what they learn from each other, they may go out and try to emulate."

Lubke said, "I don't want to have to walk around with a gun. That's crazy but you never know."

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