BLACKS: Dozens arrested in ongoing investigation into crime ring that targets Houston's high-end areas; WM, 58, killed in 40 mile follow home robbery

[Arheel's Uncle]

Dozens arrested in ongoing investigation into crime ring that targets Houston's high-end areas​

Houston police said some of the suspects who have been arrested are linked to the two men killed at a Galleria-area restaurant in August.

Author: Chloe Alexander

Published: 12:41 PM CDT October 4, 2021
Updated: 9:31 PM CDT October 4, 2021

HOUSTON — The Houston Police Department along with the Houston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has announced the arrests of 24 suspects who they say were involved in an organized crime ring that targeted Houston's high-end areas.

STILL ON THE RUN, JEREMI HAYNES & JONTRAIL MYLES.

Out of the 24 suspects, 14 remain in jail. Five of them have been charged with capital murder.



Not only do these suspects rob victims of their belongings but several of these incidents have led to killings, according to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner.

Finner said some of these suspects have been linked to the deadly Grotto shooting in August where a New Orleans police officer and another man were killed while dining on the patio. A few of the suspects have also been linked to the murder of a League City man who was shot to death after he was followed from Houston.


Chief Finner said this investigation started earlier this year with the arrest of 10 suspects.
Finner, along with the ATF, said the suspects prey on victims with expensive jewelry, fancy cars or bags from high-end stores. Some victims are robbed on the spot, others are followed home where some of the suspects commit home invasions, police said.

Pictures of watches stolen from victims: at site.
ATF investigators said this crime ring works in shifts. There is a day crew and a night crew and they mostly target areas like the Galleria, Uptown and Highland Village.

In addition to jewelry and cars, these suspects also reportedly target guns. Investigators warn that these suspects go after guns that may be left in cars and in one situation, these suspects robbed an EZ Pawn of 24 guns.

Stolen guns being used in Houston crimes​

According to ATF Houston, many stolen guns are being used in crimes. Special Agent Fred Milanowski said about 3,800 guns are stolen every year out of Houston vehicles alone.

"In the city of Houston, we have a significant problem with guns being stolen out of vehicles," said Milanowski. "We all talk about second amendment rights...but we also have responsibilities and leaving a gun unattended in a vehicle when you're not in it is not being responsible and we need people to lock those guns up because that is what's funneling guns for our criminal element."

Tony Leal, president of PPI Security and former chief of the Texas Rangers, said gun owners need to realize there is a right and wrong way to secure a gun in a vehicle.

“You can get a secure lock box that’s mounted in the inside of your trunk that is either digital key or coded to put that weapon in and secure it,' Leal said.
Guns aren’t only stolen in parked cars but when a person goes into a store or school. If a criminal sees you carrying one, you could become a target.

"If you are carrying a weapon, for your own security you are much safer and the people around you are much safer if that weapon is concealed," Leal said.

Whether your home or in a car, you want to keep those weapons locked up so a criminal doesn’t use your own gun against you.

RELATED: How to NOT get followed home: Protecting yourself from Houston's newest crime crews

 

[Arheel's Uncle]

A few of the suspects have also been linked to the murder of a League City man who was shot to death after he was followed from Houston.

WHITE MALE

Police: Man fatally shot in League City after robbery suspects followed him from Houston

The victim and his wife were coming home from the Galleria area when he was shot at his League City home.

www.khou.com

Police: Man fatally shot in League City after robbery suspects followed him from Houston​

The victim and his wife were coming home from the Galleria area when he was shot at his League City home.

Author: Jaime E. Galvan, Anayeli Ruiz (KHOU)

Published: 3:42 PM CDT June 11, 2021

Updated: 10:08 PM CDT June 11, 2021



LEAGUE CITY, Texas — Police say a man was shot multiple times in League City Thursday and later died. They say it happened after robbery suspects followed his wife and him all the way from the Galleria area.


VIDEO SCREENSHOT

Jeffrey Johnson, 58, died at the hospital overnight following the robbery at his home Thursday night.

It happened around 11:20 p.m. in the 1500 block of Waterside Drive in League City. At that time, police said they received call of a possible robbery.



When police arrived, they say they found Johnson with multiple gunshot wounds inside a garage. Witnesses reported seeing three males with masks and dark clothing run from the scene.

Police said Johnson and his wife were followed from the Capital Grille on Westheimer all the way to their home in League City Thursday night, about a 38-mile trip.

"It's more likely that they were outside watching for someone to come out. That maybe they thought they be able to get something from them," said John Griffith, public information officer with League City.

But police say it wasn’t easy to get inside the community where the couple lives. They say the thieves had to drive through this parking lot and a grass median to get past this gate. Then, they say, the thieves had to get over a second gate.

"At the second gate, they weren’t able to enter. They parked over the corner and hopped fences as he was in his garage," Griffith said.

Credit: League City Police Deprtment

This is an image from surveillance video that police say shows a white Ford SUV following the victims into his subdivision.

Police said Johnson’s wife was already inside their home when the thieves arrived.

"It appears the victim fought back at which time he was shot," Griffith said.

Johnson was taken to the hospital where he later died.

Police said the three suspects left with nothing.

"It was probably a robbery. But between the struggle, the noise that was made, there were witnesses in the neighborhood that heard gunshots. The suspects fled," Griffith said.

Police hope this reminds people to be more cautious when they go out.

"The biggest thing that you can do is to be aware of your surroundings. Crime can happen anywhere, and these people were followed for a long time," Griffith said.

Police released images from surveillance video they say shows a white Ford SUV following the victims into their subdivision. It's believed the suspect vehicle followed the victims from Houston and attempted to rob them at their home.



Investigators are asking nearby residents to check their surveillance videos to see if anything related to the fatal shooting was caught on their cameras.

The police department said Johnson was very loved in League City. He was involved in his community and very generous, always helping lots of organizations.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the League City Police Department at (281) 554-1882.

 

[Arheel's Uncle]

Finner said some of these suspects have been linked to the deadly Grotto shooting in August where a New Orleans police officer and another man were killed while dining on the patio.

Both were members of ZULU SOCIAL CLUB of NOLA.