July 10, 2022
Security guard shot during game room robbery in Hitchcock
• Armed robbers get away with cash from office safe
A security guard is hospitalized and recovering after being shot when 3 gunmen robbed a Hithcock game room overnight Sunday.
Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Captain Ray Nolen said the robbers were able to get to the safe of the game room at 6022 North Martin Luther King Avenue in Hitchcock.
The armed robbery was reported at about 3:25 AM.
There were players inside the game room, where slot machine-like devices – also known as 8-liners – are played.
Such operations are considered illegal if there are direct cash payouts.
Operators of such facilities skirt the law by making the locations “members-only” and by making payments indirectly.
While many city’s have strict ordinances that regulate such operations to the point they can’t operate, Hitchcock has longed actually issued operating licenses.
Hitchcock police asked for the criminal investigation division of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office to handle the investigation.
Based on a review of security camera footage, investigators found that the 3 masked men – 2 with handguns and another with a rifle – forced their way inside and shot the security guard several times before making off with an undisclosed amount of cash from the safe in the office.
The gunmen then fled in a 4-door, dark-colored sedan.
The security guard was taken to the trauma emergency center at UTMB Health’s John Sealy Hospital.
Despite being shot multiple times he was expected to survive, authorities said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (409) 766-2322 Option 2, or to make an anonymous tip by calling Galveston County Crime Stoppers at (409) 763-8477.
© CopyRights RawNews1st
