HOUSTON – Police officers have arrested a man accused of attacking and robbing a 64-year-old woman in broad daylight.
The crime happened in the parking lot of a Valero gas station at 1406 West Gulf Bank on Dec. 30.
Ronald Albert, 24, has been charged with robbery with bodily injury. He is being held in the Harris County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bond.
"He said he was sorry, but in my experience, they're only sorry when they're caught," said Frank Heenan, a veteran Houston police officer.
Surveillance video obtained by KPRC Local 2 shows the attack. It appears that several people witnessed the crime but were either unwilling or unable to stop the attack.
"I wish someone, anyone, would have done something. Why didn't anyone do something?" said the victim, who didn't want her identity revealed.
The victim, a grandmother, was not seriously injured in the mugging.
Just down the road, about 30 minutes later, another vicious crime occurred at a beauty supply store.
"You think of your wife and your kids. It was hard for me," said Ji Soon Kim, owner of Sense Beauty Supply.
Police have not connected the second crime to Albert.
"We don't know if it's him or someone else," Heenan said.
Police are now working to identify two people -- the robber of beauty supply store and a suspected accomplice in the Valero parking lot robbery.
"We need the community to come forward and help us," Heenan said.
Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers of Houston by calling 713-222- TIPS. Information leading to an arrest and conviction could earn the tipster a reward of up to $5,000.
