HPD releases surveillance video of smoke shop robbery, asks for public's help in identifying suspect

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Police are asking the public to help identify the suspect in a robbery that happened in northwest Houston.

The Houston Police Department says the robbery happened on Nov. 9 at a smoke shop in the 1900 block of East T.C. Jester Boulevard.

Investigators say a man entered the store around 9 p.m., pretending to be a customer. They added that he went to the counter, pulled out a handgun, and demanded money from the cash register.

Detectives said that after taking the money, the man grabbed some items from the store and ran away in an unknown direction.

Police released surveillance video from inside the store. It shows the suspect taking an item from the counter, then throwing it back after a short exchange with an employee. The employee can be heard saying, "You gonna take my money and my check?...this is my money."

HPD described the suspect as a Black man in his 20s wearing a gray hoodie, black pants, and gray shoes.

Police are asking anyone with information about the robbery to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or visit crime-stoppers.org. People who provide tips that lead to the suspect being charged or arrested could get a reward of up to $5,000.