On March 18, 2016, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Melvin Moore, a 32-year-old African American male, was performing his duties as an armored car courier for Loomis at a Chase Bank located at 5207 Airline Drive in Houston, Texas. While servicing a drive-up ATM, an unknown male suspect exited the back seat of a black, four-door sedan and opened fire on Moore. Despite being struck multiple times, Moore managed to draw his weapon and return fire.
The assailant then re-entered the vehicle, which fled westbound toward the North Freeway. Moore was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The shooter was described only as a Black male.
In the months following the incident, law enforcement agencies intensified their investigation into a series of armored car robberies in the Houston area. On December 7, 2016, a coordinated sting operation led to the arrest of several individuals believed to be connected to these crimes. Redrick Batiste, identified as the ringleader, was killed during a shootout with police. His associates—Marc Hill, Nelson Polk, John Scott, and Trayvees Duncan-Bush—were apprehended and later faced federal charges, including conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting the use and carrying of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Court documents revealed that this group was implicated in multiple armored car robberies, including the fatal shooting of Melvin Moore on March 18, 2016, and another incident on August 29, 2016, which resulted in the death of David Guzman, another armored car courier. The crew's modus operandi involved meticulous planning, surveillance of targeted locations, and the use of high-powered rifles to neutralize armored car personnel from a distance before attempting to steal cash.
The arrests and subsequent legal proceedings brought a measure of closure to the families of the victims. Melvin Moore's mother, Patricia Ann Moore, expressed relief upon learning of the apprehensions, stating, "When we buried him, I cried every night because he was my baby, he was my baby boy." Moore's sister, Regina Poullard, added, "I cried, I cried, because it was just a wave of relief. It was comforting almost because they caught the right guys." Moore left behind a wife and four young children.
The dismantling of this robbery crew highlighted the collaborative efforts of local and federal law enforcement agencies in addressing violent crimes targeting armored vehicles. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo noted the significance of the operation, emphasizing the importance of bringing those responsible for such heinous acts to justice and preventing further loss of life.
