RICHLAND HILLS (WBAP/KLIF News) – An elderly disabled Navy veteran is recovering after a violent robbery earlier this month left him with two broken legs and a stolen truck.
Richland Hills Police said the incident occurred at a Shell gas station on Airport Freeway near Handley Ederville Road just before 6:30 a.m. on January 15th.
The department’s Captain Sheena McEachran said the victim was getting out of his truck in the parking lot and was approached by a suspect who asked him for a cigarette.
She said a fight broke out when the suspect pushed passed the vet and jumped into his truck.
“The victim had been taken to the ground got up and held on to his driver’s side door and was drug about 15 to 20 feet before he was finally let go and then his legs were run over by his vehicle while the suspect drove away,” she said.
Investigators said according to surveillance video, the suspect had approached several other people at the gas station, possibly asking for cigarettes or money.
McEachran said the vet is lucky that the suspect appeared to be unarmed.
“He got lucky that he will recover from his injuries. It could have been worse when he got run over. It was definitely dangerous but he fought back and was trying to protect his property. I am just glad he wasn’t further injured,” she said.
The victim’s truck was found abandoned in another city a few hours after the incident.
The suspect, who can be seen in the images above, is black man, 30 to 40 years old, about 5’9″ tall and 165 lbs with a slim build and may have facial hair.
He was wearing a grey hoodie, dark pants, light colored gloves and dark shoes at the time of the robbery.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richland Hills Police Department at 817-616-3776 or kperkins@richlandhills.com.
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