News writer
A routine morning stop for lottery tickets in Texas took a shocking turn for one 74-year-old man. What began as an ordinary trip quickly spiraled into a moment of fear, captured on surveillance video now released by police.
The footage shows a brief but brazen act that left the victim shaken and his neighbors outraged. Authorities are now hoping the public can help provide the missing piece that leads to answers.
Parking lot robbery
Around 10:00 a.m. on August 30, 2025, a robbery took place at a convenience store parking lot on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Houston, according to the Houston Police Department.
Authorities have now shared surveillance footage of the incident where the suspect walked up on a 74-year-old man using a walker and attacked him. Police said the suspect reached into the older man’s pocket and forcibly removed cash.
The victim then lost his balance and fell to the ground as the suspect allegedly walked off, officials said. Police are now on the hunt for this suspect, who remains on the run.
On a lottery run
The victim, later identified as Juan Armendariz, told ABC13 that he wasn’t even aware that the video existed until a reporter knocked on his door.
He said he went to the store to get Texas Lottery tickets and was walking in the parking lot when a man suddenly lunged towards his shirt.
Armendariz said, "It made me think of a lot of different things of what I see on TV. What I read in the paper. I understand what they go through now."
While the man wasn’t hurt, he did say the suspect was able to get away with six dollars. Now that he knows the video exists, he is hoping it helps lead to his arrest.
“God willing, you'll learn from this even if you don't get caught and you don't do this again to anyone else," Armendariz said. "That's my prayer for him."
A man who also shops at the store and lives nearby told ABC13 after seeing the video,
"There's no sense in robbing an elderly person like that. That man's up in age and probably worked all his life. He's got family members and everything. Somebody young like that should find themselves a job. Try to do something with their life."
Police need your help
Authorities have had no luck in locating the suspect. He is described as a Black man, 17 to 25 years old, wearing a black jacket, faded blue jeans, white shoes, and a light blue backpack. He has clean-cut, short afro hair.
If you have any information related to this investigation, police urge you to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston. Information leading to the charging and/or arrest of any felony suspects may result in a cash payment of up to $5,000.
To contact Crime Stoppers, call 713-222-TIPS (8477), submit an online tip at www.crime-stoppers.org, or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. You will remain anonymous and still be considered for the cash payment.
Enjoy playing the Texas Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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