Houston, Texas – An armed robbery was reported Wednesday afternoon at the Texas Dow Employees Credit Union (TDECU) located inside the Student Center South on the University of Houston campus, prompting a police investigation and campus safety alert.
According to information released by the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD), the robbery occurred at approximately 4:08 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Authorities said a suspect entered the TDECU branch, brandished a firearm, and demanded money from employees. No injuries were reported during the incident.
Armed Robbery Reported Inside Student Center South
UHPD confirmed that the suspect displayed what appeared to be a black handgun while confronting staff inside the credit union. The situation ended without physical harm to employees or patrons, and the suspect fled the scene before officers arrived.
Campus officials issued an alert shortly after the incident to inform students, faculty, and staff of the situation and to request assistance from anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the robbery.
Suspect Fled Toward METRO Platform
Police said the suspect was last seen running south toward the METRO platform near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Wheeler Avenue, a busy transit area adjacent to campus. Officers canvassed the surrounding area, including nearby walkways and transit stops, but the suspect was not immediately located.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the Student Center and nearby buildings as part of the ongoing investigation.
Suspect Description Released by Police
UHPD released a detailed description of the suspect in hopes of generating tips from the public. The suspect is described as:
- Black male
- Approximately 6 feet tall
- Weighing between 160 and 170 pounds
- Slender build
At the time of the robbery, the suspect was reportedly wearing a black scarf covering his head, along with black shirt and black pants. He was also seen wearing gray sports sandals.
Police said the suspect was carrying a black backpack with gray stripes, which may have been used to carry stolen money. The firearm used in the robbery was described as a black handgun.
Second Robbery at Same Location
Authorities noted that this incident marks the second reported robbery at the same TDECU location in recent months. A previous robbery was reported on Oct. 28, 2025, raising concerns among students and campus staff about security inside high-traffic campus facilities.
University officials have not yet said whether the two incidents are believed to be connected, but investigators are examining similarities between the cases as part of their review.
University Police Investigation Ongoing
UHPD said the investigation remains active and that detectives are working to identify and locate the suspect. Officers are asking anyone who was inside or near the Student Center South between 4:00 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. on Jan. 7 to come forward if they noticed anything unusual.
Police are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who may have seen a person matching the suspect’s description running toward the METRO platform or entering public transportation shortly after the robbery.
Campus Safety Reminders Issued
Following the robbery, campus safety officials reminded the university community to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity immediately. Students and staff are encouraged to:
- Be aware of their surroundings, especially in high-traffic buildings
- Avoid distractions such as phone use when walking alone
- Report suspicious behavior to campus police right away
University officials emphasized that no ongoing threat was reported following the incident, but said increased patrols may be visible in the area as a precaution.
How to Provide Information
Anyone with information related to the robbery is urged to contact the University of Houston Police Department directly. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and even small details may help investigators move the case forward.
This remains a developing story, and additional details may be released as the investigation continues.
If you were in the area or have information related to this incident, share what you know with authorities and share your experiences in the comments below.
