Suspects flee bank robbery, enter my office building to hide

[Aggie_engr]

Well folks the excitement has worn off by now and I wanted to share this for discussion and to remind everyone that holiday seasons generally bring out the crazies. Also you won't find this in the local news so I am unable to provide a link but this is what happened from my personal account.

Some bachground info, last week in the greenspoint area the restaurant just next door to us (jimmy g's) was robbed during the daytime so I've already been a little on edge. Then yesterday around 1:30pm the Omnibank at beltway 8 and imperial valley drive was robbed at gunpoint by two male suspects and a third was waiting in a getaway vehicle. The two robbery suspects fled the scene and seeked shelter in my 12 story office building (333 north Sam Houston parkway east). Just as this was happening I was returning from my lunch break, parked in the garage and was notified by building management about the robbery and that the suspects may still be in the area. So I rushed upstairs (9th floor), told everyone on my floor (small group, maybe 20 ppl) what was going on and not to leave our office. HPD arrives with dogs and finds one suspect hiding above the ceiling tiles in the bathroom of the 11th floor. Second suspect is detained just behind our behind hiding in some bushes. The third suspect wrecks the getaway car just down the street from our office. Thankfully no one was physically injured during all of this and the suspects took a ride courtesy of HPD.

My thoughts on this are that it could have turned into a nightmare. We're lucky these were just run of the mill, dumb bank robbers but what if it were a deranged person that took a floor, possibly my floor hostage?

[Ericstac]

Just curious, we're you carrying?

[WildBill]

Pretty scary. Here's a link to the robbery at Jimmy G's. The robbers wore the same uniforms as the wait staff!

http://www.khou.com/news/local/Patrons- ... 09791.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Greenspoint area of Houston is sometimes referred to as "Gunspoint".

[Ericstac]

^^ yeah I saw that on the news!

[RoyGBiv]

Just curious, we're you carrying?

First thing that came to my mind. Conspicuously not mentioned in the OP.
Glad it turned out well..

To answer the OP's question, if I was in the parking garage and had been notified by police that my floor had been taken hostage, there's not much I can do. Offer to help LE communicate through any back channels I might have... Text message, etc... Offer up any information on floor plans and points of access that might be useful. It's unlikely that they'd let me close in a hostage situation.

[Jumping Frog]

I work pretty close to you and regularly eat lunch on Greens Rd in the various restaurants between I-45 eastbound over as far as Fuddruckers. I never set foot in that area unarmed. That is because I am always armed.

[Aggie_engr]

Just curious, we're you carrying?

According to company policy we are not allowed to carry.

RoyGBiv, I was thinking more along the lines if I were there and my floor was taken hostage. There was a good half hour since someone had last seen these guys. But in the scenario you mention unfortunately there wouldn't be much I could do.

Greetings jumping frog, nice to know there are some other good guys in the area! Just this past week one of our employees came outside of his hotel at the Hyatt to find his rental on blocks.

[Kawabuggy]

My brother was robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot of Gunspoint mall back in 93 or 94. I remember him calling me for a ride as they took his keys, wallet, work ID, and everything else he had in his pockets. Left him stranded at the mall with no way to drive his car home. I had heard rumors that it was bad over there, and after that happened, I have never stepped foot in that mall again.

To the OP, I'm sorry that you work situation calls for you to put yourself in that area. Any possibility of an inter-company transfer?

[tbrown]

RoyGBiv, I was thinking more along the lines if I were there and my floor was taken hostage. There was a good half hour since someone had last seen these guys. But in the scenario you mention unfortunately there wouldn't be much I could do.

I think they would be unpleasantly surprised if they tried it at our office. I know at least 3 on my team, including me, regularly carry at work. The official company policy is silent on weapons and I privately encourage my direct reports to get a CHL.

[rp_photo]

My thoughts on this are that it could have turned into a nightmare. We're lucky these were just run of the mill, dumb bank robbers but what if it were a deranged person that took a floor, possibly my floor hostage?

Especially given all the CHLs disarmed by misguided company policies.

[Msjboof1]

I actually just started working in that building a couple of weeks ago and I carry.. The girls I work with laughed at me always bringing mine with me but Friday (we are on the first floor and came out of the bathroom to meet the first officer asking if we had seen the guy and telling us to go in our office) the ladies sure were laughing as they were begging me to go check our office first. The area is notorious for being bad. Just makes me that much happier to carry :)

[Jumping Frog]

I actually just started working in that building a couple of weeks ago and I carry..

Sounds like there are enough of us working in that general area to have a "meet 'n greet" lunch one day.

[Aggie_engr]

I second that jumping frog. I know of at least one other person that would like to join as well!

Awesome Msjboof1! At least someone was prepared that day.

[Msjboof1]

I'm always up for a reason to take lunch :) I just haven't ventured out far because of the area. I actually recently just got my new Kahr specifically for conceal at work! I'm also a paramedic in case y'all may need anything up there :)

[OldCurlyWolf]

I actually just started working in that building a couple of weeks ago and I carry..

Sounds like there are enough of us working in that general area to have a "meet 'n greet" lunch one day.

We need to set one up. I work just about 2 miles east of Greenspoint, just north of the Beltway.