Arrests Made in 2 Unrelated Crime Sprees

HOUSTON - Harris County investigators say they've arrested several suspects in two unrelated, but major, cases involving dozens of burglaries and home invasions.

At a news conference held Friday, deputies said five people are behind bars in connection to a slew of September home invasions between the Hardy Toll Road and Highway 290.

Tyrone Jones, 17, Darius Cooper, 19, and Marcus Smith, 18, along with two juveniles, were arrested in the home invasions. Detectives said the suspects would drive around, looking for easy targets.

"They would force the complainant inside and in some cases, they tied some individuals up and on the rest of them, they made them lay face down and one kept guard over them in the residence at gunpoint," Harris County Sheriff's Office Lt. Jeff Stauber said.

Jones is charged with three counts of aggravated robbery, while Cooper and Smith each face two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of aggravated kidnapping. All three men are being held at the Harris County Jail without bond.

At the news conference, deputies also announced the arrest of Steven Ray Fester in connection to a string of drug store robberies dating back to January.

Fester is being held at the Harris County Jail without bond on three counts of aggravated robbery.