Houston-area gun shop warns customers about follow-home robberies

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The story of a man who was followed home from the gun range and robbed should serve as a cautionary tale, one local gun store owner says.

The victim had been followed to his Gulfton apartment complex from a west Houston Top Gun Range on Tuesday when police say the suspects swarmed him and he shot one of them in the chin.

James Hillin, owner of Full Arm Firearms, said similar-sounding robberies have happened to his customers and those of other Houston-area gun shops in the past.

"The bad guy was hiding in his car somewhere watching, and he's watching for somebody to come out and then carrying a bag, and then when they go to their car, he would follow them out," said Hillin.

"It's getting much worse recently. It's been a steady incline, and then it just shot all the way up," said manager Eugene Kim.

Police said Wednesday that a total of two people were involved in Tuesday's robbery, contradicting initial statements that three people were involved.

HPD said one person was in custody and another was still at large.

"Watch your back, pay attention. If somebody's following you, you know, don't go straight home. Make a left, make a right. See if they're still following you," said Hillin.

In September, a new law took effect in Texas, making jugging, the act of following someone home with the intent to rob them, its own offense.

But the Harris County District Attorney's Office said the statute only applies to money and not to other property, such as guns.

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