SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio police said at least two men held up two businesses on the city's Northwest Side.
Police said one of the robberies happened at Torch Hookah Lounge in the 2700 block of Hillcrest Drive at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
The owner of the smoke shop told police two men held him up at gunpoint and demanded cash. The pair got away with about $900 and two cellphones.
"All I seen is (a) gun in my face. I just froze for a second," said Fadi Mashal. "He just asked for whatever I got, so I just handed him the money I had, and I had my phones in my hand, and he just took the phones."
The pair then walked through a door that connects to Il Villagio Italiano Pizzaria, where the robbers took more cash and cellphones, police said.
The pair took off in a gray sport utility vehicle as Mashal's brother, the owner of the businesses, was arriving.
"My brother pulls in, he's driving in, and he seen the guy run after him. He knows something was going on, so he chased after the guy," Mashal said.
Mashal thought one of the men bought a pipe at his business right before the robbery.
Police said the robbers may be behind at least three other robberies earlier in the evening.
One of them was described as being in his mid-20s, 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds. He was wearing a grey shirt and grey shorts and had tattoo sleeves on both arms and on his neck, police said.
A second man was described as being in his late 20s, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds. He was wearing a dark T-shirt and pants, police said.