Houston Man Convicted of Multiple Violent Robberies at Fast-Food Restaurants, Faces Life Imprisonment

A 25-year-old Houston man has been convicted by a federal jury of committing a string of violent robberies at local fast-food restaurants, including multiple McDonald’s locations. According to a release from the

U.S. Attorney’s Office

, Caleb Pickens, who was implicated in the armed robberies, faces the possibility of life in prison for his crimes.

The trial lasted four days and ended with a guilty verdict after nearly three hours of jury deliberation. Pickens was convicted of robbery affecting interstate commerce and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime. In January, he committed the robberies while carrying a pistol, often wearing a red Nike sweatshirt or a black hooded jacket. During one robbery, he fired the weapon into a microwave oven.

After the robberies, Pickens caused chaos by forcing managers to empty safes before fleeing through back doors. He used a stolen black Chevrolet Tahoe with a broken left rear window and started the engine with scissors. Authorities tracked the vehicle, and surveillance led to his arrest during another armed robbery.

“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 U.S. Attorney Hamdani, contrasting it with Pickens’ violent acts. “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,” as per the

Department of Justice release

.

Pickens is currently held in custody and awaits sentencing, which is scheduled for February 13, 2025.

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