Trackdown: Help catch the TM Store robbers

In this week’s Trackdown, Dallas police hope someone can help them find the men who robbed a convenience store and shot three people, including a woman who was holding a 16-month-old baby.

The ruthless robbers shot the three victims after getting the cash.

Police released video of the masked armed robbers who terrorized the TM Convenience Store on Feb. 12, 2018.

Police swarmed outside the convenience store in the 4500 block Elsie Faye Heggins St. after the violent midday armed robbery. The robbers were aggressive and armed, police say, and went into the store not just to rob, but to do harm.

The store was family owned. The husband and wife who owned it were known in the community and often gave food to the hungry.

An employee, Neal Empy, was in the store along with the two owners at the time of the robbery.

"Pointing guns, they make Mr. Neal Empy lie on the ground. The husband and wife are in the back. They point guns at them and start demanding money," Dallas homicide detective Tonya McDaniel said.

McDaniel said the owners did give the robbers money, but that didn't stop them.

"These guys still shot all three people in there, regardless of getting what they wanted," McDaniel said. "And the wife was holding her 16-month-old child when one of the suspects shot her."

Empy died of a medical condition in July, and the owners decided to let go of the store after being shot.

"That was such a traumatic experience for them, just for their safety, they decided to let [the store] go," McDaniel added. "They had to give up what they had been doing for years because of some people who wanted to come take something that was not theirs."

Even though they were covered up during the killings, McDaniel knows someone in North Texas recognizes the suspects, and hopes somebody will give them up.

"I need south Dallas to talk to me," McDaniel said. "I know somebody knows who these guys are. Whether they're family friends, went to school with them, just know 'em from the neighborhood. You know who they are and if you have information about this crime, you need to talk, cause not talking is just as ridiculous as the crime itself."

Crime Stoppers is offering reward money for information in this case. Detective McDaniel wants anyone with information to call her.

She has even given out her personal cell phone. You can call or text her at 469-261-6790.