Katy police investigate string of armed robberies

KATY, Texas (FOX 26) - A string of armed robberies occurred near a popular shopping area in Katy, and now police need your help catching the suspects.

On Saturday, Katy police say three men and one woman committed three armed robberies within an hour of each other and within three miles of each location -- stopping to rob the owner of a laundromat off Katyland Drive, another at the Walmart off of Katy Fort Bend Road and another at Katy Mills Mall.

Sgt. Stephen Woodard with Texas DPS says you have to take extra precautions out shopping during the holidays.

"Thieves thrive on opportunity, the opportunity of your vehicle being unlocked, the opportunity of you not clenching your bag tight enough, the opportunity of you shopping alone," Sgt. Woodard says. "What we are seeing now is individual's getting their vehicle broken into by simply leaving a package on the passenger seat. You want shopping season to be enjoyable and we don’t want you to come out being a victim."

Victims and police say the suspects may have been in a gray or silver Toyota or Nissan sedan. Anyone with information is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.