FBI: Suspect tried to rob bank for Christmas cash

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Authorities need your help to find a man who they say tried to rob a bank Saturday to get quick Christmas cash.

Surveillance cameras caught the suspect at Chase Bank on Almeda Road around 9:20am.

Police say the suspect handed the teller a threatening note demanding money, but the teller stalled the robber and he eventually walked away with nothing. No one was injured.

The attempted bank robbery was described as a black male, 26-28 years old, about 5 feet 8-11 inches tall with a dark complexion. He had a goatee and was unshaven. He wore a gray hoodie, blue jeans, a ball cap and eyeglasses.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at http://www.crime-stoppers.org/ that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Crime Tracker »

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Christmas Day storms turn dangerous across Houston area

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Strong storms that moved across the Houston area Tuesday morning are being blamed for at least one death, thousands of power outages and plenty of damage.

Weather radars may have cleared, but remnants of the Christmas morning storms are still very visible, as downed trees and power lines remain scattered across some streets.

Meteorologist Casey Curry says a powerful upper level storm system combined with a warm, moist air mass produced the dangerous weather. Parts of the ABC13 viewing area endured damaging winds, small hail and even faced the threat of tornadoes.

The storms are being blamed for a young man's death in northwest Harris County. It happened around 9:30am in the 17600 block of North Eldridge Parkway.

Investigators say the man was trying to move a downed tree that was blocking the roadway when another one snapped and fell on top of him. He was taken to St. Lukes Hospital in The Vintage, where he was pronounced dead. His name has not been released, but we're told he's in his 20s.

In the Heights area, a knocked-down power line stretched across Interstate 10 at Washington, and road crews had shut down part of the highway to clear the scene.

And near the northern edge of Huntsville, downed power lines forced highway officials to close both directions of Interstate 45 for several hours until workers could clear that scene, according to the Walker County Sheriff's Office.

Reports of more downed trees and power lines also were made in parts of northwest, east and northeast Harris County.

In Montgomery County, power lines smoked and swayed in the wind for hours, and toppled trees lined some streets.

In Splendora, a tree fell on one home, busting through the bathroom window and causing thousands of dollars in damage.

"You could hear the wind just whistling, blowing. You could hear the hail all over the house. It was just crazy. It was literally crazy," Splendora resident Mindy Mitchell said.

In Kingwood, ABC13 cameras were rolling when the transformer of a downed power line combusted in the middle of a street in the Kings Mill neighborhood and startled just about everyone nearby.

"We heard a big pop and then all of a sudden we didn't have any electricity. It kept trying to come back on and then just nothing," Kingwood resident Mike Alexander said.

And then there were the power outages. At their peak, CenterPoint reported more than 75,500 customers had lost power during the storms, and Entergy reported about another 34,000.

Though the threat of severe weather is behind us, big changes are on the way, Curry said. She says bitter cold air is expected rush in from the north overnight, dropping our high temperatures to the mid-40s.

"Look for some of the coldest air of the season to settle into southeast Texas," Curry said. "Many of us will wake up to lows below freezing Wednesday morning."

By the afternoon, the high temperatures will struggle to reach 50 degrees, she said.

You can track any storms in the Houston area by downloading our free mobile apps. Also, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for updates as they happen.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Teens scare away Christmas Eve home burglars

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Two children who were home alone when burglars broke in their back door are sharing their terrifying encounter. It happened Monday morning at a home in northwest Houston.

The homeowner thinks the thieves were watching him, waiting till he left to break in. Little did they know his two sons were still inside.

Daniel Vasquez left his house just before 8am Monday, looking for Christmas gifts for his two sons. Minutes later, a phone call.

"My son was crying and he was scared," he said.

He'd left his 15- and 12-year-old sons home alone. The younger woke up to find two men inside their house.

"Robbing stuff and vandalizing stuff," 12-year-old Emiliano Vasquez said.

The men apparently kicked in the back door, destroying its frame and allowing them access. There is a burglar bar on that door but it was left open.

Emiliano says he'd just woken up. He ran back to his older brother's bedroom as soon as he saw the strangers. The brothers called their father for help while looking unsuccessfully for a weapon, should the intruders get in the bedroom.

"Just hid under the bed," 15-year-old Nicolas Vasquez said.

"You hid under the bed, thinking that maybe he wouldn't see you?" we asked.

"I guess," he said.

The men fled, however, apparently spooked after discovering that indeed someone was home, but not before Daniel says they grabbed a flat screen TV and his laptop.

"Thank goodness nobody was hurt," he said.

What they stole here, Vasquez says he can replace, it's his two boys, his family, which he cannot. They're just thankful they celebrate this Christmas Eve together.

If you know anything about the thieves who hit this house you can contact Houston police or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.

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Fallen Bellaire officer, bystander remembered on Christmas Day

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It started as a car chase, but it ended with bullets flying and two families left grieving on Christmas. Police say a Belliare police officer and an innocent bystander became the victims of a shootout in southwest Houston Monday morning.

The deadly confrontation happened in the parking lot of an auto shop on Bellaire Boulevard. Corporal Jimmie Norman, 53, was working Christmas Eve so he could be off on Christmas Day, to be with his family.

A memorial has sprung up as a sign of support in this community, as the Bellaire Police Department mourns at Christmas. Harlem Harold Lewis, 21, is the accused killer. Investigators say Lewis also fatally shot Terry Taylor, the owner and general manager of a nearby Maaco shop.

The deadly chain of events all began with a traffic stop that turned into a brief chase and eventually ended with the shootings of both Norman and Taylor. Police say Taylor ran out of his shop to help Norman and died in that parking lot.

"We're devastated by the loss," said Bellaire Police Department Chief Byron Holloway. "We ask that you keep his family and the family of the other victim in your thoughts."

"I feel so bad for those families, especially at Christmas," said Leslie Hokanson, whose car was struck. "I feel bad for all the families, including the shooter, who made a horrible choice."

Corporal Norman, a 24 year veteran, is the first Bellaire officer to be shot and killed in the line of duty.

Lewis, the suspected gunman, has gunshot wounds from backup officers who responded and arrested him. He was taken to Southwest Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical but stable condition. Officials say he is expected to survive and has been charged with capital murder of a police officer, murder and felony evading in a motor vehicle.

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Strong cold front and windstorm arrive, but warm weather returns for Christmas

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- After record breaking high temperatures yesterday, a cold, blustery day is hitting the area today and tomorrow. The strong cold front arrived overnight with a line of showers and storms, and sent temperatures down into the mid-50s shortly before sunrise.

This time, the wind will be a bigger story than the cold. Winds behind the front will blow out of the northwest at 25-35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph near the coast. Gale warnings are up along the coast for this morning and 'low water advisories' have been posted for Galveston and Matagorda Bays, as the strong winds shove water out of the bays and into the Gulf. Tides will run 1-2 feet below normal, which will make navigating the bay and ship channel more treacherous.

Once the winds settle down tonight, expect a widespread light freeze across southeast Texas tomorrow morning as astronomical winter officially begins (5:12am local time).

The run up to Christmas looks very warm after that, but a strong cold front arriving on or around Christmas Day will make it feel like winter again later in the week. There is still a tremendous amount of uncertainty with the timing and strength of the winter storm next week. Stay tuned.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Weather »

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Lawmaker wants schools to be able to put up Christmas and Hanukkah displays without fear of legal action

Texans players give away bikes to low-income kids for an early Christmas gift

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Houston Texans helped Santa Claus deliver early Christmas presents for hundreds of local children.

After the Texans finished up practice Friday in preparation for Sunday's game with the Indianapolis Colts, the team gave away brand new bicycles to more than 200 children. The kids are from low-income families and were very excited to get the new bikes and spend some time hanging out with Texans star players DE J.J. Watt, WR Andre Johnson, and QB Matt Schaub.

"It's great to see how happy they are and how excited they are and to come out and be a part of this its just great," said Schaub.

J.J. Watt told us, "It's awesome. These kids are hilarious, they're great. It's really cool to have them out here and obviously it's great to see they're gonna get exercise with their new bikes so we're really happy we can do this."

All of the kids also received free helmets.

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Found Christmas gifts finally returned to owner

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The mystery of the green canvas bag is solved, and the sack filled with hundreds of dollars in gifts and cash is finally back with the rightful owner.

James Taylor has been looking forward to this day for almost two weeks.

"Just been sitting in my house sitting in the spare bedroom," Taylor said.

Ever since he told us about finding the green canvas bag on December 22.

"It was a little wet when I first picked it up," Taylor told us at the time.

Full of hundreds of dollars of Christmas gifts, cards and cash along the Northwest Freeway.

"My end goal would be the people get their gifts by Christmas," Taylor said back then.

Well, it took a little longer.

"Can't wait to see the look on her face," Taylor said.

But today, Taylor finally made the connection.

"You are just something else. That is so great that you found these and were willing to give them back," said Shirley Baltz.

Baltz, 78, is the rightful owner of the lost bag of gifts. She didn't know they were missing until Christmas Eve and thought she had just made an honest mistake

"I said, Oh did I leave those at home?" Baltz told us.

Turns out the mistake was one of her relative's, who accidentally left the bag unsecured on the back of his trailer and it fell off on their way out of town.

"I'm so glad James was coming along," Baltz said.

Taylor posted a sign and a similar one on Craigslist.org and also called us.

"I would hope someone would do the same," Taylor said.

Days passed with no word. He did more investigating and he finally found Mrs. Baltz's name and address. The mystery was solved the day after Christmas.

"She called and said Channel 13 is looking for you," said Taylor.

"Yep, here they all are. Thank you so much," Baltz said to Taylor.

It would have been hard for Baltz to replace the gifts.

"He could have had a good ol' time," said Baltz.

So now, Christmas just comes later for her family. And for Taylor, 2012 gets off to the right start.

Baltz insisted Taylor accept a gift card as a thank you. He finally did even though all he wanted to do was the right thing.

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'Merry Christmas' gunman robs convenience store

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Crime Stoppers and investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Office are seeking the public's assistance identifying the suspect wanted for an aggravated robbery which occurred on December 19.

At approximately 3:55am on Monday, December 19, a man entered the convenience store located on the 12300 block of Eastex Freeway. The suspect immediately proceeded to the restroom located at the rear of the store.

According to Crime Stoppers, after exiting the restroom, the suspect approached the checkout counter. As the clerk asked the suspect if he needed help, he withdrew a pistol, pointed it at the two store employees behind the counter and demanded cash from the registers.

Fearing for their lives, the victims surrendered an undisclosed amount of cash to the suspect. As he exited the store, the suspect reportedly stopped, turned and said, "Y'all have a Merry Christmas."

While fleeing through the parking lot, the suspect pointed the pistol at several patrons, and left the scene on foot prior to the arrival of sheriff's deputies.

The suspect is described as a black male, 20-30 years old, 5'7"-5'9", weighing 150-160 pounds with a thin build. At the time of the offense, he was wearing a white thermal long sleeve shirt, a baseball cap, black pants and darks shoes.

In another case, on December 21, at approximately 12:35am, a man entered the gas station located on the 10800 block of Eastex Freeway. The suspect proceeded to a cooler located in the rear of the store, selected a beverage, and then proceeded to check out.

The female victim reports that as she began to ring up the suspect, he withdrew a pistol from his waistband and aimed it at her, Crime Stoppers said. He told the victim he was not paying for the drink, and demanded cash from within the register. After her life was threatened, the victim surrendered an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect fled the scene on foot prior to the arrival of sheriff's deputies.

The suspect in this case is also described as a black male, 20-30 years old, 5'7"-5'9", weighing 150-160 pounds with a thin build. At the time of the offense he was wearing a white shirt, knitted watch-cap, black and white sweat pants and dark shoes.

Crime Stoppers investigators are not yet saying if these two cases are linked.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of the suspect in this case. Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Crime Tracker »

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Christmas tree catches fire; townhomes burned

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A dried up Christmas tree too close to a burning fireplace. That's what's being blamed for a fire that destroyed two west Houston townhomes on Tuesday morning.

It happened at the townhomes at Litchfield and Memorial. Ironically, today is the first day that the city's recycling centers will be accepting old Christmas trees.

Houston fire officials tell me the Christmas tree in that fire was over 30 days old and had dried out. When your tree hits that stage, officials say it's safest at a recycling center.

This is where Janet Steinmetz wanted to take her Christmas tree today. But after a month in her home, she had another concern about her tree.

"Fire. And the Litchfield apartment fire was because of a Christmas tree," said Steinmetz.

There's not much left of the home destroyed Monday night by fire.

"My kids yelled, 'Fire,'" said the homeowner, Jack Perry.

He says he was packing for a family camping trip, and saw a spark from the fireplace jump onto the Christmas tree. In a matter of seconds, he was frantic to get his family out.

"You couldn't stop it. The wire around it was on fire. It was like the tree was alive. It burned up and went to the ceiling," said Perry.

Luckily, the Perry family got out OK. Firefighters say the tree was too close to the fireplace and, after a month in the house, was dried and a fire hazard.

There are certain signs your tree has become a danger to your home.

"You have to make some inspections. When you get the tree, you have to study those pine needles -- are they dry? Are they brown? Are they falling off? If they are, it's time to get rid of that tree because at that point it becomes a hazard," said Capt. Ruy Lozano with the Houston Fire Department.

There are several places all over Houston to take your Christmas tree. There is no charge and neighbors like Steinmetz consider it a safe alternative, especially after what happened to the Perry's home.

"It added to my resolve that we're going to get it out, plus he's home with his truck so that makes it easy," said Steinmetz.

The city has these recycling centers all over Houston and you can click on this link for a list of locations and a map.

Earlier Tuesday: Neighbors save residents from burning townhomes

Neighbors jumped into action to rescue trapped families who could only watch as the flames consumed their homes. Several families were sifting through what's left of their homes after a fire destroyed nearly everything they owned.

The fire started just before 10pm at townhomes on Litchfield and Memorial. Firefighters spent 12 hours fighting the fire, putting out hotspots and digging through the debris to get the smoke and embers out. The challenge grew by the minute as the framing of the building began to crumble.

"I heard screaming and I saw fire erupting from the house and I ran over as fast as I could and I called 9-1-1," said neighbor Michael Murphey.

"There were flames just leaping off the far patio," said another neighbor.

"Last night, a Christmas tree caught on fire and it went up in flames," said another.

Flames danced over four townhome units at Ethan's Glen, a 32-acre wooded development in west Houston.

"One of our concerns is always if one of the trees is gonna go up," said neighbor Amy Smith. "Thank God we've had so much rain for the past few days. I think that probably helped."

For hours overnight and well into today, fire crews quashed flames and quieted hot spots.

"The floors even burned through and the building was starting to sag and collapse," said Capt. Thomas Dillion with the Houston Fire Department.

Luckily, the fire didn't spread to the trees, but two homes are damaged and two others were destroyed, including Jack Perry's home, where it all began.

Perry's wife grabbed their two kids and rushed out of the house while he stayed behind and tried to fight it. His right cheek is now burned from the heat.

"I tried to go upstairs to save what I could and I started inhaling smoke and then I got out of there," he said.

Thanks to the some of the neighbors, everyone got out OK. Perry and his family are now staying with relatives.

The cause of this fire is still under investigation.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Water main break leaves family with mess on Christmas

PASADENA, TX (KTRK) -- Well we may not have had a white Christmas, but one Pasadena family certainly had a wet one. A water main break on Zapp Lane near Austin sent a towering geyser of water on top of the family's home.

It had all the elements for a near disaster. A water main broke late on a weekend night and on a Christmas night, so no one was answering at Pasadena Public Works department. It took nearly six hours for the gusher to be tapped.

The day after Christmas at the Rocha household was filled with unexpected cleaning after the couple was rousted from bed by what they said sounded like a natural disaster.

"With the front door opened, I couldn't see anything, the water was coming down so thick," Eddie Rocha said.

A water-filled pit in front of their home is the aftermath of a geyser. For about six hours, a giant water main break had been directed at their house.

The Rochas snapped some photos as they waited for help from city officials. Eddie's wife, Terry Rocha, said they called the Pasadena Police Department several times.

"The third time, he said I told you not to panic so they hung up, so the fourth time I called, they said ma'am this is not a matter of life and death," Terry Rocha said.

The main was repaired around dawn, but the cleanup of the mud continued into the morning.

The Rocha's home appeared in tack and there was no serious damage. Terry Rocha's nerves, though, are another story.

"It was just horrible. I'd never seen anything like this before," she said.

Terry Rocha is a volunteer for the city and its police department, so even though she didn't want to ask for special treatment, she was still surprised by the city's reaction and she and Eddie wish the city could reassess how it deals with its residents.

"To pay more attention to folks that might be in distress," Eddie Rocha said.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Deals to be had on day after Christmas

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The day after Christmas is no time to rest as savvy shoppers can tell you it is a day to save money.

How does half off sound? Because that's what you will find on just about everything Christmas related.

Stores are slashing the Christmas items in an effort to clear out what was not purchased last week. Retailers say the shoppers come in waves, with those arriving first finding the best selection of sheets, dishes, lights and wrapping paper.

Shoppers say they are going to need the items they are snapping up when Christmas comes next year and by getting things now, and the fact everything is up to half off or more makes this a holiday tradition that is not to be missed.

"I come out here every year. I like their sheets, they have the nice snowman sheets and so that's what I come out here for and some paper, wrapping paper, and holiday bags," shopper Suzanne Wessels said.

The early birds were not disappointed in the selection at this Target store. You can still find flannel sheets, dishes, decorations and, of course, wrapping paper. Those items are all up to 50 percent off.

One woman said she is able to save serious money by waiting until today to get her Christmas decorations.

"Ok, I guess I am going to spend $150 to $200, and that would have cost me $400, so yeah, twice the cost; it's fifty percent off," said Sandie Cowan.

The key is to get out early. Experienced shoppers told us by early afternoon the good stuff will very likely be gone.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Volunteers serve Christmas breakfast to homeless

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A group of Houston friends are demonstrating the true meaning of Christmas.

This year -- like every year for nearly 20 years -- they're feeding the homeless a hot Christmas Breakfast.

Volunteers started setting up breakfast as early as 5:30am under the Southwest Freeway near Franklin. They also set up for clothing donations.

"It feels good to give back," one volunteer told us.

Houstonian Mike Stiborik started the Christmas breakfast tradition. He doesn't belong to an organization. He just rounds up some friends every year to help the less fortunate.

"We get up early and we complain -- it's 4:30 -- but we get to go home and the house is warm and we have breakfast and we have presents under the tree, but this is their present and I think it makes us all feel a lot better than just sitting at home," another volunteer said.

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Volunteers needed for Christmas Eve feast

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- If you plan to stay in Houston instead of traveling, you could help out the City Wide Club with its annual Christmas Eve Big Feasts of Sharing.

The club needs volunteers to help prepare and serve food at the George R. Brown Convention Center. They are also hoping for more toy donations. The club gives toys to needy children at the event but says it could run out tomorrow.

This will be the 33rd annual Big Feast. Thousands of families attended the organization's Thanksgiving feast a month ago.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Suspect robs Humble bank in referee's outfit carrying Christmas gift

  HUMBLE, TX (KTRK) -- Police are searching for a man who robbed a bank wearing a referee's outfit and carrying a Christmas present that he said was a bomb.

The incident happened Tuesday at around 9:30am at the Citi Bank branch located at 9467 FM 1960 in Humble. Police say an unknown white male suspect entered the bank carrying a partially-wrapped Christmas present. The top of the package was open and exposed a propane tank with red wires. The suspect told the tellers he had a bomb and demanded money from the two bank tellers.

The suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of cash from the tellers and fled on foot leaving the package behind. The bomb was later determined to be a hoax.

The suspect is described as a white male, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-10 in height, approximately 175 pounds, and of medium to stocky build.

If you have any information, you are asked to call the Humble Police Department at 281-319-9772.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Christmas gifts stolen from single mother

CONROE, TX (KTRK) -- This time of year, homes, churches and community centers are filling up with presents for children. It's something thieves are very aware of and they are using that to their advantage.

Across our area this week, police say burglars have been busy stealing gifts and toys meant for children. And victims we talked to are urging families and churches to beef up security.

There's a big reason Christmas won't be the same at Felicia Cunningham's house this season.

"I just feel violated," Cunningham said.

The single mom says a burglar broke into her home at the Foundations at Woodland Apartments in Conroe this week, stealing many of the gifts waiting under the tree for her two young children.

"I never felt this way before in my life, and I didn't know what to do," she said.

Police say the crooks pried open the family's door while Cunningham was at work and her kids were at school. They say the picky thief took time to unwrap all the presents.

"They were selective with the Christmas gifts under the tree that they wanted. They opened gifts and they took gifts. The ones they didn't want, they left it and we saw that they unwrapped it," Cunningham said.

She is sending a strong message to burglars.

"Don't take from others. You never know what they are going through. And he definitely didn't know what I've been going through, so it's hard," Cunningham said.

Right now police don't have too many leads on the suspected burglars. They are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers in your area.

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Stolen neighborhood Christmas tree may have been found

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A would-be Christmas Grinch may have not ruined plans for a holiday celebration in one Houston neighborhood after all.

Neighbors in Montrose's Hyde Park say their neighborhood Christmas tree suddenly disappeared just before neighbors were about to decorate.

But hours after Eyewitness News aired the story on Monday afternoon, residents say they were contacted by the person who took the tree that was located on the corner of Waugh and Hyde Park. That called claimed to have just been watching over it and plans on giving it back.

The 10-foot tree, which was valued at about $150, was donated by Greek restaurant Niko Niko's. The eatery already had already donated a second tree.

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