Trending

Bank robber told teller he lost his business due to COVID-19, Houston police say

HOUSTON — Authorities are asking for the public’s help identifying a man who told a bank teller that he lost his business due to the coronavirus pandemic while robbing a Houston bank last week.

Police said the man entered Woodforest National Bank at 9700 Hillcroft Ave. just after the bank opened July 8 and told a teller that he needed to make a withdrawal. Investigators said he then handed a piece of folded notebook paper to the teller.

"I didn't get a stimulus or that 10k loan," the man wrote, according to police. "I lost my business to Covid so please make this easy and comply."

The man also threatened the teller in the note, writing that if she made "any suspicious moves … I will start shooting so please go get my money."

The teller told police that she didn't see any weapon on the man but that, fearing for her life and safety, she gave him an undisclosed amount of cash.

“The suspect grabbed the cash in both hands and ran from the location,” police said Thursday in a statement. “No vehicle was observed.”

The robber was described as a large-framed Black man between 30 and 39 years old and about 6 feet tall. During the robbery he wore a black bandana over his face and a hooded sweatshirt over his head. He also had on a True Religion brand jacket.

Anyone with information on the case can contact Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS or submit a tip online.