The sufferer says he is sharing his story in hopes it helps others keep away from this from occurring to them.
HOUSTON — A Houston man is talking out after he says thieves adopted him from an area financial institution and stole hundreds of {dollars} from his truck — a criminal offense caught on surveillance video.
Mauricio Torres says he went to the Wells Fargo close to Mercury Drive and I-10 round 9 a.m. Saturday to money a examine. Minutes later, he mentioned he was unknowingly being adopted.
“Fui para el Wells Fargo que está en la Mercury y el 10 como a las 9 y 11 de la mañana,” Torres mentioned.
(Translation: “I went to the Wells Fargo Financial institution off Mercury and I-10 round 9 or 10 within the morning.”)
He says solely the financial institution teller knew he was withdrawing cash.
“No sé cómo pudieron saber que yo llegué a retirar dinero y no a depositar,” he mentioned.
(Translation: “I do not know the way they knew I used to be withdrawing cash and never depositing.”)
Torres says he positioned the envelope of money in his pocket and walked out of the financial institution with nothing seen. He drove almost 13 miles, unaware he was being watched.
Surveillance video from the enterprise the place the theft occurred reveals a black automotive backing into bushes close to the car parking zone. Torres had stopped to work on his truck, assuming the automobile belonged to a different buyer. About 15 to twenty minutes later, he heard a loud noise.
That’s when the thieves smashed the window of his truck.
“Cuando yo salí del camión… lo alcancé a ver y le grité. Ya para cuando le grité, quizás ya había agarrado el dinero,” Torres mentioned.
(Translation: “Once I received out of the truck, I noticed him and yelled. However by the point I did, he could have already taken the cash.”)
He says he threw a device on the suspect’s automobile, however it was too late. The thieves sped off with $8,000 in money — cash Torres says represented weeks of laborious work.
“Muchas horas, varias semanas de trabajo,” he mentioned.
(Translation: “Many hours, a number of weeks of labor.”)
The loss was deeply irritating, he added.
“Da coraje, porque a uno le cuesta ganar el dinero. Y se lo gana honradamente. Para que venga otro y se lo agarre de esa manera,” Torres mentioned.
(Translation: “It makes you indignant as a result of it’s laborious to earn cash. And also you earn it actually. Then somebody simply comes and takes it like that.”)
Torres filed a police report and hopes detectives can observe down the suspects to forestall anybody else from turning into a sufferer.
If in case you have any data, you’re requested to contact the Houston Police Division..
Texas legislation enforcement companies crew as much as deal with these kind of thefts throughout the Houston space
Native and state legislation enforcement companies within the Houston space have shaped a process power to trace down robbers who observe financial institution clients after which steal their hard-earned cash.
They’re already seeing success.
The duty power is placing undercover officers, deputies and troopers at banks to conduct surveillance to catch the dangerous guys within the act. They’re additionally utilizing real-time crime facilities, drones and different expertise to trace down the criminals.
Defend your self after leaving the financial institution
Thieves are working in teams watching and ready to steal cash from individuals doing enterprise at banks and ATMs
Authorities mentioned the greatest technique to beat criminals is to have a plan. They are saying to keep away from banking after hours, restrict cellphone use whereas at ATMs and make use of cash-back choices in shops, if potential. And attempt to have somebody with you if you happen to can.
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