That sucks, and to anyone reading this, here's my safety tips I personally use to avoid being robbed or messed with all together: (Take it or leave it, I'm just giving some advise, u dont have to take it, it's up to u, but I personally have never been robbed before, no matter where I've been, from the Woodlands all the way to Southside, nobody has ever approached me to rob me)
1.) I carry. As in, well I'm assuming you know what that means, God bless Texas and my 2nd ammendment am I right?
2.) When I take cash out of the bank I do it though the drive-through, or I park my bike outside or in the lobby (the bank i go to is pretty cool about it as long as my bike is near the door n not bothering anyone)
3.) If I for whatever reason have to walk to the bank, i never, EVER go alone, i either go with my wife, or friends, or my mom, dad, anybody, just never alone
4.) I also carry a tazer, and / or some sort of weapon, I'm not getting into the specifics of that, but I'm sure your mind can wonder. Dont worry those said weapons arent lethal but are meant to stun the said robber and at the very most, incapacitate them for enough time for me to run away, and / or call the cops.
5.) I try not to go to the bank during the night (not too sure if this incident was at night or not) but I usually go during a time I know the bank will have some people
6.) I go to banks that arent in shady areas, usually I go to the ones in well, nicer areas, but that's completely subjective, i mean sometimes ill go to a bank near freaking makawa jail and nothing happens, or ill go to one near river side, and have some shady activity happen near me, it depends I guess... anyways moving on.
7.) Look around, and be sharp, and intimidating, as in dont let your guard down just because "I grew up around here. Ain't nothing gonna happen to me." That is the worst mistake u can possibly make. No matter where u are, whether it be river oaks, or Manchester, you keep your guard up at all times, especially at the bank! Look behind you, walk tall, and confident, etc. Just whatever you do, don't make yourself look small and helpless, and always be aware of your surroundings, it'll help in the long run
8.) Dont stop for nothing, as in if someone approaches you in the street for whatever reason just move it along, and watch your back. I knew a guy who stopped for someone at the park, and got robbed. The guy asked my friend for "the time" and the moment my friend stopped to check his phone, this guy yanked his phone from his hands, and then proceeded to also attempt to take my friend's gold chain, he managed to break it and make off with it (it was one of those thin rope chains), luckily my friend had insurance on both so he got them back, but still the facts remain. Dont stop for nothing or nobody. If they need help, call an ambulance, they need spare change? Have coins on hand, and move along. Dont stop anywhere for too long. Or at all if possible.
9.) KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS! I've grown up in Houston all my life, and I can tell you, I know my neighborhoods. This has got to be one of the biggest tips to have saved me from being robbed so many times. So, this basically means, know the neighborhoods, as in know which ones are bad, and good, which ones are okay to be wearing gold out, and which ones to hide your jewelry in, know this, and you'll be fine
10.) Analyze your surroundings! As in, if you see lots of abandoned, run down, slum looking buildings, it's probably best to avoid the area, or at least, hide any jewelry you're wearing, etc. But yea, make sure to look around and Analyze your surroundings. Even if it means you have to leave and go to a different bank, or store in a safer area, do it. It is not worth loosing your life over.
And that's it, those are my tips / well advise to avoid being robbed, it works everywhere, whether it be Houston or any other place, remember this is just advise to anyone who read this, I know you probably won't even care, but keep in mind I've never been robbed in my entire life, nothing, not any pieces of my jewelry (6 pieces total, all gold) that I wear every day, not my new cars, not even the food off my plate. Nothing. So i mean, take my advise or leave it, up to you.