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Convenience store robbery ends in awkward failure, Texas cops say. See video

A still from surveillance footage of an attempted robbery in January.
A still from surveillance footage of an attempted robbery in January. Houston Police Department robbery division

Security footage from a Texas convenience store shows a chaotic attempt at a robbery by a “clumsy suspect” police are trying to identify.

Houston Police Department’s robbery division posted video from the incident, which occurred Jan. 12, to social media on April 3.

A man in a dark pullover, dark pants, white socks and black sandals entered the convenience store in eastern Houston at 3 p.m., according to police. At first he attempted to draw a gun from his waistband and approach the counter, but lost his grip and dropped it into his pants.

After some shaking, the gun fell out of his pant leg, the video shows. He crouched down to retrieve it, but fell backward onto the floor. After a cut in the surveillance video, he’s shown back on his feet and approaching the counter, now armed.

“Once the clumsy suspect retrieved the handgun, he approached the store clerk, who was standing behind an enclosed counter and demanded the money from the cash register,” Houston Police said.

According to police, the clerk backed away from the counter, prompting the suspect to shoot at a stack of soda 12-packs. After some back-and-forth, he jogged away from the counter, swiped a case of beer and fled, brandishing his weapon one last time at the door.

Police say he may have fled in a white truck.

Anyone with information about the crime can submit anonymous tips at 713-222-TIPS (8477), www.crime-stoppers.org or via the Crime Stoppers app.

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This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 1:37 PM.

Rhiannon Saegert
mcclatchy-newsroom
Rhiannon Saegert is a McClatchy Real-Time reporter covering the midwest from Southern Nevada. She’s an alumna of The University of North Texas, and has written for local newspapers like Waco Tribune-Herald and the Las Vegas Sun as well as Eater and other online publications.
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