For those in the Clear Lake area (12 ATM robberies)

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:32 pm

Webster police seek suspected robbery duo

Webster police are investigating a series of robberies.

Police believe a man and woman are responsible for about 12 attacks since December. Most victims are approached as they use drive-up ATMs.

The most recent incident occurred Feb. 13 at a Wells Fargo bank in the 900 block of Bay Area Boulevard.

The suspects approach victims in a vehicle, said Webster Police Department Lt. Ray Graham. The man drives the vehicle in front of the victims, to block them in, and the woman gets out and usually acts like she is hysterical, Graham said.

"She walks up to the car of someone using the ATM and asks them for money so she and her partner can get someplace, usually Beaumont," he said.

When the victim rolls down the window, the suspect reaches in, opens the car door and robs the person.

In one case, the pair victimized a woman in the parking lot of the Cinemark movie theater on Interstate 45.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/ ... 73315.html

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When I go out to the movies, that Cinemark is usually where I go. It's always seemed to be a safe place. Reguardless.... I wouldn't dream to go there unarmed.

Post by **Charles L. Cotton** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 2:10 pm

Thanks for the heads-up; that's just across the Gulf Freeway from Friendswood.

Chas.

HighVelocity · Post by **HighVelocity** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 2:40 pm

Ok, who rolls down their window for a hysterical stranger whos car has just blocked you in, especially while in the process of an atm transaction?

Too many people in condition white, even when they should be extra aware of their surroundings.

Don't get me wrong, I am not blaming the victims for being robbed but for pete's sake, pay attention to what's going on around you!

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 3:34 pm

Kinda wish they had a better description of the suspects. What do the man and woman look like? What kind of car do the drive?

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 3:37 pm

HighVelocity wrote:Ok, who rolls down their window for a hysterical stranger whos car has just blocked you in, especially while in the process of an atm transaction?

The people who got robbed...

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

But seriously, 12 cases...hmmmm...I drive by that Wells Fargo quite often...And its a good place to stake out and wait for the appropriate victim...

Baybrook Mall has seen its fair share of crimes lately as well...

Maybe the draw is that in that area traffic is a nightmare...It may be easy to think you can get lost in the crowd up and down Bay Area Blvd...I have always thought about things like that...

Police response is also hampered by this factor...

Oh well...Something to keep in mind these days...

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 3:38 pm

Paladin wrote:Kinda wish they had a better description of the suspects. What do the man and woman look like? What kind of car do the drive?

Wonder if a call to Webster PD, would they give that information out...Or if they did, why did they not print it in the Comical...

jbirds1210 · Post by **jbirds1210** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:53 pm

Thanks for the heads up! I am in that area several times a week, especially the theatre. The parking lot of that particular theatre is so big....I generally park at the back so I can see the entire thing in front of me.
Jason

Baytown · Post by **Baytown** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:45 pm

How about those peole who count their money at the ATM?? Goodgod Man! What are you going to do if the amount is not right anyway??

If people are going to walk around with their heads in their bottoms (that is the term my daughter uses, so that should not offend

) they should at least leave their eyes hanging out so they can see where they are going........and carry a GUN!!!!

Glenn

onerifle · Post by **onerifle** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 1:42 am

+1 on the heads up. Seems like never a dull moment, of late....

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:32 pm

Since my wife is maintaining the vigil at the hospital for my mother in law, who just had a "quintuple" bypass last week...I had some time on my hands and decided to kidnap my mom and take her to lunch, and she wanted to see a show...So we did...

During lunch at "dead lobster" right down the street from the bank that has gotton some attention in the linked article, I mentioned to her about the problem, and how nice it would have been to get more than a gender description, and basic M.O. from the press...

She mentioned to me that she is at a disadvantage at drive through ATM's in that the car she drives is a little MR-2, and since she has a muscle disease that keeps her somewhat limited in mobility, she has in tha past pulled up, had to get out of the little car to pulse the money out of those things...

After I got through "preaching" about how she really needs to improve the personal security issue, she by the way is opposed to keeping and or getting proficient with a firearm for personal protection, we left the restaurant to go catch the show at the Cinemark just down the road in south Webster...Also in the article...

Needless to say, and good thing the weather was bad, my head was up on a swivle watching for hysterical women...Just to at least get a good look at them so I could report what I saw...

BTW, also (shameless movie plug) y'all go check out the new Pink Panther movie...There really are some hysterical scenes in it, with one totally gun related...You revolver lovers will enjoy this scene, you won't miss it...

Y'all can't sit in front of these computers 24/7...Its rating is accurate, and safe for the PG crowd...

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 6:20 pm

This is clearly a high risk location for the Bad Man or Woman to take advantage of your vulnerability while at the ATM. This has been a real issue for me since almost getting jacked at an ATM out of state. One thing to note in this situation, how effective are you in drawing a firearm while seated in a vehicle?

Rich.

HighVelocity · Post by **HighVelocity** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 6:40 pm

Rich wrote:how effective are you in drawing a firearm while seated in a vehicle?

Rich.

When I am at the drive up atm no draw will be needed as the pistol is in my lap already until I am safely away.

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 6:59 pm

We are on the same page...

Rich

gigag04 · Post by **gigag04** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 9:27 pm

Rich wrote:We are on the same page...

Rich

+1

longtooth · Post by **longtooth** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:36 pm

yea buddy, several of us.