Houston law enforcement is on the hunt for a group of suspects dubbed the “Scrooge Sprayers” after a bold and unsettling robbery targeting an armored car courier. The incident unfolded at the Food Town grocery store on 5 Uvalde Road in Harris County’s eastside on the afternoon of December 20, just days before Christmas.
According to the FBI’s Houston office, the crime happened around 2:15 p.m. The courier, carrying a bag of cash, had just stepped out of his armored car and walked into the store when trouble struck. Two men had been lurking in the parking lot, keeping an eye on him. Once he entered the store, they made their move.
One of the suspects rushed the courier and tried to snatch the bag of money. The courier, determined not to let go, resisted. That’s when the other suspect sprayed him in the face with an unknown substance, leaving him temporarily blinded. Unable to see and disoriented, the courier fell to the floor, losing his grip on the bag. The suspects quickly grabbed the cash and bolted out of the store.
Outside, a third accomplice was waiting in a white Hyundai Elantra, ready to make a fast getaway. The trio sped off southbound on Uvalde Road, leaving the scene in a flash.
Thankfully, the courier only suffered temporary blindness from the attack, and no one else was hurt during the robbery.
Investigators have shared a few details about the suspects. The two men who went inside the store are believed to be between 18 and 22 years old, both with slim builds. One was wearing a black hoodie, and the other a white hoodie. The getaway driver never stepped out of the car, so there’s no description of them yet.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the “Scrooge Sprayers” or the white Hyundai Elantra to come forward. They’re working hard to catch this group before they strike again.
