Houston Police Department

October 27, 2005 -- Houston police are searching for two suspects who robbed a convenience store and threatened a police officer with a gun in an incident that started in the 6400 block of Airline on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 around 3:40 p.m.

Houston Police Officer N.J. Hernandez, who was off-duty but in uniform, had stopped at a barber shop to get his hair cut when he noticed two men running out of a nearby convenience store carrying beer. Officer Hernandez also noticed one of the men had a pistol in his waistband. As the suspects were driving away the store owner ran out of the business yelling. Officer Hernandez believing the store was being robbed followed the suspects in his personal car and called dispatch from his cell phone.

The suspects saw the officer following them and stopped to confront him. When they noticed it was Officer Hernandez they got back in their car and drove away. The suspects turned into the 6800 block of Petrie, which is a dead-end, and made a U-turn. As Officer Hernandez attempted to block them in, the suspect in the passenger seat pointed a pistol at Hernandez. The officer, fearing he was about to be shot, fired one shot at the suspect, striking the windshield. The suspects' car struck Officer Hernandez's car as they fled, and eventually crashed in a ditch on Nordling and Candler.

The suspects described as Hispanic males, between 18 to 25 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing between 170 to 180 pounds fled on foot and escaped.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

AW/ RMM 10-27-05
Inc # 163031105

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.