New Details, Surveillance Photos Released in Eastland Walmart Robbery
By: Homa Bash
Updated: September 5, 2012
What started as a favor turned into an armed robbery -- and it has community members in Eastland on edge.
"It's terrifying," said Walmart shopper Jason Layton.
"Very scary that it happened in this area," added another shopper, Tracy Starr.
"This is evidence it happens in a small town as it happens in a major city," said Chief Billy Myrick, Eastland Police.
Police said a Cisco man was walking to his car in the parking lot of Walmart in Eastland, when he was approached by another man, who asked to use his cell phone.
"So, just being kind, he said, 'Sure,' and handed over his cell phone and turned around to put his purchased products in his vehicle," explained Myrick.
Then, when the victim turned back around, the man stuck a gun into his stomach -- said he wanted to do "one more thing," and robbed him.
The getaway vehicle was caught on Walmart's surveillance video, but the suspects were not.
"I'm not as helpful anymore as I used to be, and I think that's kind of sad, because that's the way life is right now," said Starr. "So I'm very cautious, especially when I have my boy with me."
For shoppers, like Layton and Starr, this crime hits a nerve.
"There are a lot of kids who come out here, and I have mine in the car, and all I can think about is worrying about them," said Layton. "I hope whoever did this gets caught and punished."
But for others, like Jackie Whitson, who works at the Walmart, it's not anything to get too worked up about.
"I've been working here for 13 years and it doesn't make me the least bit nervous," Whitson explained. "It's just once in a blue moon, I don't expect it to ever happen again."
While police agree that violent crimes are a fairly rare occurrence in town, it does serve as a reminder to everyone.
"Be aware of your surroundings and who may be lurking about between cars or in dark shadows," said Myrick.
The search for the suspects continues and Eastland Police said the Texas Rangers are now involved in the investigation, along with DPS and the Sheriff's Office.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 30s with short black hair and a mustache.
There is no description for the second suspect.
The weapon is described only as a black semi-automatic handgun.
"It's terrifying," said Walmart shopper Jason Layton.
"Very scary that it happened in this area," added another shopper, Tracy Starr.
"This is evidence it happens in a small town as it happens in a major city," said Chief Billy Myrick, Eastland Police.
Police said a Cisco man was walking to his car in the parking lot of Walmart in Eastland, when he was approached by another man, who asked to use his cell phone.
"So, just being kind, he said, 'Sure,' and handed over his cell phone and turned around to put his purchased products in his vehicle," explained Myrick.
Then, when the victim turned back around, the man stuck a gun into his stomach -- said he wanted to do "one more thing," and robbed him.
The getaway vehicle was caught on Walmart's surveillance video, but the suspects were not.
"I'm not as helpful anymore as I used to be, and I think that's kind of sad, because that's the way life is right now," said Starr. "So I'm very cautious, especially when I have my boy with me."
For shoppers, like Layton and Starr, this crime hits a nerve.
"There are a lot of kids who come out here, and I have mine in the car, and all I can think about is worrying about them," said Layton. "I hope whoever did this gets caught and punished."
But for others, like Jackie Whitson, who works at the Walmart, it's not anything to get too worked up about.
"I've been working here for 13 years and it doesn't make me the least bit nervous," Whitson explained. "It's just once in a blue moon, I don't expect it to ever happen again."
While police agree that violent crimes are a fairly rare occurrence in town, it does serve as a reminder to everyone.
"Be aware of your surroundings and who may be lurking about between cars or in dark shadows," said Myrick.
The search for the suspects continues and Eastland Police said the Texas Rangers are now involved in the investigation, along with DPS and the Sheriff's Office.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 30s with short black hair and a mustache.
There is no description for the second suspect.
The weapon is described only as a black semi-automatic handgun.
