HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A 19-year-old was arrested after an armored car guard was shot during a robbery outside a northwest Harris County mall on Tuesday, the FBI said.
Ricardo Rodriguez was charged in connection to the shooting that happened at about 3:35 p.m. at 2000 Willowbrook Mall.
Authorities said the teen faces federal charges of interference with commerce by robbery and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to the FBI Violent Crime Task Force with HPD, the shooting happened when Rodriguez robbed a Brinks armored car.
Police said the wounded guard was shot but had a vest on. He was reportedly taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Rodriguez was arrested about 36 hours after the shooting, officials said.
#UPDATE The FBI Violent Crime Task Force has arrested 19 year-old Ricardo Rodriguez in connection to Tuesday’s armored car robbery at Willowbrook Mall in which an armored car guard was shot. #HouNews @hpdrobbery pic.twitter.com/iqEhGzWht5
— FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) February 16, 2023
ABC13’s Neighborhood Safety Tracker shows this area, including Willowbrook, Willow Chase Park, and Centerfield, is home to an estimated 8,000 people. The tracker shows there have been at least two homicides in the last 12 months in this area.