Houstonian found guilty of committing armed robberies of Houston area fast food restaurants

Press Release

HOUSTON - A federal jury has convicted a 25-year-old man for interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Hamdani.

The jury deliberated for two hours and 45 minutes before finding Caleb Pickens guilty following a four-day trial.

Law enforcement began investigating a series of armed robberies at fast-food restaurants, primarily McDonald's, and convenience stores, which drew attention to Pickens.

Pickens came to the attention of law enforcement between after they began an investigation into a series of armed robberies of fast-food restaurants, mainly McDonald's, and convenience stores.

HOUSTON - A federal jury has convicted a 25-year-old man for interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Hamdani.

The jury deliberated for two hours and 45 minutes before finding Caleb Pickens guilty following a four-day trial.

Law enforcement began investigating a series of armed robberies at fast-food restaurants, primarily McDonald's, and convenience stores which drew attention to Pickens.

In January, Pickens wore either a red Nike sweatshirt or a black hooded jacket while committing a series of armed robberies at McDonald's locations and brandishing a pistol.

Occasionally, Pickens held the gun to victims' heads, backs or stomachs, demanding money from the safe. In one incident, he eventually fired his pistol into a microwave oven at a McDonald's location.

During the robberies, Pickens ordered the manager to hand over the money from the safe before exiting through the restaurant's back door.

He fled the locations in a stolen black Chevrolet Tahoe that had a broken left rear window, used scissors to start the ignition and drove away.

Law enforcement located the vehicle and started conducting surveillance. On Jan. 23, the Chevy Tahoe arrived at a McDonald's in Houston where Pickens again committed another armed robbery.

Authorities arrested him on scene. At that time, he was wearing the same Nike sweatshirt and hooded jacket and was in possession of a pistol.

"Going to McDonald's has become a quintessential part of American life, offering a familiar, convenient spot for families to come together for a meal, where kids feast on Happy Meals searching for hidden toys," said Hamdani. "Pickens turned that idyllic scene into a violent nightmare when he robbed several locations and pointed his gun at his victims. This verdict will insure that he is taken off Houston's streets and away from its families for many years to come."

He has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner presided over the trial and set sentencing for Feb. 13, 2025. At that time, Pickens faces up to life imprisonment and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The Houston Police Department's Violent Crime Task Force and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jill Stotts and Brian Hrach are prosecuting the case.

Updated November 8, 2024