9 men escape house where they were held

Nine men escaped from a southwest Houston house where they were being held as part of a human smuggling operation, but their captors fled with about 15 remaining victims before authorities arrived Saturday night, Houston police said.

Investigators said the nine men were under watch at a home near Finchwood Lane and Concourse Drive, about 2 miles north of the Sam Houston Tollway and Interstate 69 interchange, when they escaped at about 9:15 p.m. and found assistance at a nearby business.

“They went to get help for the rest of the people, the women and children,” Houston Police Assistant Chief James Jones said. “And by the time we got back, they were already gone. The suspects had moved them out.”