FBI: Bank robber cites economy during holdup

A pistol-wielding robber blamed the nation's troubled economy for a holdup this morning at a northwest Houston bank, authorities said.

While demanding cash about 10:30 a.m. from a teller at a Compass bank branch, 12514 Tomball Parkway, the armed robber said, “I'm only doing this to eat. They're not letting me work,“ FBI officials said.

As his partner held a shotgun on customers and employees at the bank, the robber scooped the cash into a black nylon bag, officials said.

They were last seen getting into a tan, gray or silver four-door Chevrolet sedan with custom rims, FBI agents said.

There were no reported injuries during the robbery, officials said.

Witnesses described the robber with the pistol as a black man in his 30s with a medium build. He wore a fake beard and mustache along with a blue Tommy Hilfiger T-shirt, officials said.

The other robber is a black man in his 20s, about 6-foot-3, with a thin build. He wore a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses, officials said.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the robbers. Callers to 713-222-TIPS(8477) will remain anonymous.