January 27, 2015 - Charges have been filed against 18 suspects in an organized crime ring following a multi-agency investigation in 2014.  

Suspects' names and charge information will be provided at a news availability today (January 27).  Photos of the suspects can be viewed on the HPD Flickr account at https://www.flickr.com/photos/houstonpolice/sets/72157650425456226/  

In March 2014, area law enforcement received information of sophisticated aggravated bank robberies occurring in multiple jurisdictions in the greater Houston area.  The robberies consisted of multiple armed suspects using stolen vehicles.  The bank robberies culminated into multiple high profile incidents, including a gunshot fired (which narrowly missed a child) and shots fired at a citizen witness. Many of these identified similar bank robberies were extremely violent in nature and resulted in injuries to citizens.

A joint multi-agency investigation of these incidents began, involving the Houston Police Department’s Westside and Northeast Tactical Units, Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Pasadena Police Department, FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Rangers and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

The joint investigation determined the organized crime ring operated from the Homestead and Tidwell area in northeast Houston and focused on bank robberies and bank juggings.  The suspects are also possibly linked to various other incidents.  

The U. S. Attorney's Office and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force has also begun assisting in the ongoing investigation, with other possible suspects being sought. Many of the suspects have multiple felony charges pending.  

Anyone with information regarding these incidents or other possible suspects is urged to contact local law enforcement or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.

 



VHS/JFC 1-27-15