Robbers-turned-killers target Hispanic women at Houston apartments

Edith Gonzalez is held by her uncle Carlos Gonzalez as her brother spoke to the media about the death of her mother, Angelina Romero Alvarez, 50, who was murdered during a robbery as she was outside of her vehicle at the Wilcox Apartments. (Johnny Hanson | Houston Chronicle) less Edith Gonzalez is held by her uncle Carlos Gonzalez as her brother spoke to the media about the death of her mother, Angelina Romero Alvarez, 50, who was murdered during a robbery as she was outside of her ... more Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 50 Caption Close Robbers-turned-killers target Hispanic women at Houston apartments 1 / 50 Back to Gallery

Police believe three robbery suspects may be targeting Hispanic women in the early morning hours after three victims were shot, one fatally, and robbed in the south Houston area in recent days.

The latest attacks began about 5:50 a.m. on Friday when a woman was shot and robbed at an apartment complex at 10201 Telephone, according to the Houston Police Department. Her condition was not released, but police said she had a non-life-threatenting wound.

Police said the suspect was described only as being a black man who sped away in a white sports utility vehicle.

About 10 minutes later, police said, 50-year-old Angelina Romero-Alvarez was fatally shot during a robbery at 2400 South Loop West. She was about to get into her vehicle in the parking lot of the Wilcox Apartments when more than one suspect approached her and she was shot. The suspects sped away from the scene. No description of the suspects or the getaway car was released.

About an hour and twenty minutes later, police said, a 70-year-old woman was shot and robbed in an apartment complex parking lot at 6922 South Loop East. The suspect was described as being a black man who sped away in a white SUV. The victim's condition was not released, but police said she had a non-life-threatenting injury.

Police said investigators believe the attacks on Dec. 5 are possibly related to a similar attack that occurred Nov. 29 at the apartment complex at 6922 South Loop East. In the November incident, a 49-year-old woman was walking in the parking lot when a white four-door vehicle, which had the partial Texas license plate of BZ, pulled up alongside her. A man got out of the passenger seat of the vehicle and robbed and shot her. The suspect was described only as a black man.

Police said the same suspects may be conncted to nine recent robberies. In six of those robberies, women were victims.

Anyone with information in these cases is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713 308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713 222-TIPS.

Homicide investigators will join members of Alvarez's family at 2 p.m. today to ask for the public's help in finding the men suspected in the crimes.