Spring Teen Arrested in Staged Robbery of Her Friend

On February 16, 2018, at about 11:34 pm, Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the HEB located at 3540 Rayford Road, Spring, Texas in reference to a robbery.

Upon arrival, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Deputies learned that Harris County Precinct 4 Constables had been dispatched to two residences in Harris County regarding robberies that occurred in Montgomery County. Harris County Constables were dispatched to the home of Preston Barry who reported that he and his friend Susan Mize had been robbed. Deputies then went to Susan’s residence to speak to her regarding the robbery.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Deputies interviewed Preston Barry and Susan Mize and learned the following:

Susan asked Preston if he wanted to earn $150 by giving her friends a ride into Houston. Preston agreed and both Preston and Susan traveled to Creekside Park in Montgomery County to meet her friends. While at the park, Preston and Susan met with a 16 year old black male who got into the back seat of Preston’s car. While waiting, a 15 year old white male wearing a mask approached the driver side door of Preston’s car brandishing what Preston believed was a handgun. The 15 year old white male ordered Preston into the back seat of the vehicle, where the 16 year old juvenile suspect brandished a knife and ordered Preston to be tied up with Susan’s shoelaces. The two males then robbed Preston of the money in his wallet while striking him numerous times and threatening his life with the knife and gun. The two juvenile suspects then drove Preston to the HEB located at 3540 Rayford Road, Spring, Texas where they untied Preston so he could withdraw money from the ATM inside HEB. The 16 year old suspect accompanied Preston into the store, at which time Preston withdrew money from his account and gave it to the 16 year old suspect.

The suspect and Preston returned to the car, then Preston is tied back up with Susan’s shoe laces. The suspect then took Susan home per her request. Susan was dropped off at her residence, but never called 911 to report what was happening to Preston.

Preston told the suspects that he had more money at his residence and would give it to the suspects if they take him home. The suspects then drove Preston to his residence and let him go inside while they wait in the car. Once inside, Preston locked the door and immediately told his parents the situation while both suspects leave in Preston’s vehicle. Preston’s family then called Harris County Constables Office to report the robbery and what occurred to Preston and Susan.

Advertisement

While on patrol, Harris County Precinct 4 Deputies discovered Preston’s vehicle in Dennis Johnston Park just inside Harris County. As Harris County Constable Deputies approached the vehicle, the 15 year old suspect took off running into the woods. Harris County Deputies quickly detained, the 16 year old suspect who was also inside the vehicle.

During the course of the investigation, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Deputies learned that Susan had lied about the entire incident. Deputies learned that Susan had set Preston up to be robbed by the two juvenile males. Susan believed Preston was an easy target and the plan was for the males to rob him for the money in his wallet. Susan advised tying Preston up and taking his car, was not her idea or part of the plan. Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office searched Preston’s vehicle and located a kitchen knife that Preston said the 16 year old male used to threaten him with. Deputies also located a black and silver gun, but both were actually BB guns.

Susan was arrested and charged with Aggravated Robbery Felony 1.
The 16 year old juvenile was arrested and also charged with Aggravated Robbery Felony 1.
The 15 year old juvenile suspect has been identified and Deputies are currently filing a warrant for his arrest.

Note by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office: “This incident has been erroneously reported as involving a daughter who planned a robbery of her father, this is not factual.”

Source: Lieutenant Scott Spencer, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Executive Division

Advertisement