Police: Arrest could be breakthrough in string of Houston robberies

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There's a major breakthrough in a string of violent robberies that's targeted Hispanic women in Houston. Police have arrested Reginald Plair, and charged him with the robbery and shooting of an elderly woman on December 5th, in the 6900 block of the South Loop, East.

"He told me he was going to shoot me," said the victim, who spoke to Eyewitness News, but did not want to be identified. "He said 'I'm going to shoot you.' I said, 'Get the purse, and get out of here!'"

The elderly victim was hit with three bullets, but survived. When we told her Plair has been charged with shooting her, she was very relieved.

That specific incident happened in the early morning hours of Friday, December 5. The victim, her daughter, and grandson were getting into their car to take her grandson to school when she was robbed and shot.

Houston police believe Plair and at least one other suspect could be responsible for a string of violent robberies and shootings. HPD would not comment today, but earlier this week, they highlighted the robbery and shooting of Angela Romero-Alvarez. She was also attacked on December 5, but she did not survive. As of right now, Plair has not been charged with that shooting. However, court records clearly show investigators believe a number of these attacks are linked.

Plair made his first appearance in court Friday morning. He's charged with aggravated assault, and is being held on a $100,000 bond. Plair asked for a court-appointed attorney.

His arrest came as a relief to Marina Olguin, who lives in the 10200 block of Telephone Road, another one of the locations hit. Olguin's mother was held up at gunpoint that same Friday morning. Fortunately, she was not shot.

"I thank the lord my mother wasn't shot. There was an angel by her side, she was being watched," said Olguin.

Eyewitness News spoke to Olguin's mother on the phone. At the time, she was on her way to the Houston Police Department to look at a photo line-up of suspects.

Though not yet charged, the white van, the targeting of Hispanic females in the morning, all fit with the same MO as the other shootings.

Houston police said earlier this week that they believe as many as three men could be involved in these robberies and shootings. So far, only Plair has been charged. This is a continuing story, stay with Eyewitness News for the full developments.