Teens Who Allegedly Pistol-Whipped, Robbed Arlington Officer Arrested In Dallas
ARLINGTON, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) — The suspects who allegedly pistol-whipped an Arlington officer during a robbery at a convenience store Wednesday morning have been arrested in Dallas, police said.
Police said the suspects' vehicle was pulled over in the 2100 block of East Ledbetter Drive and that the Arlington officer's identification was found inside the car. Three suspects, who are juveniles, were taken into custody and will be referred to the Tarrant County Juvenile Court.
The robbery happened around 7:30 a.m. outside a QuikTrip convenience store in the 900 block of East Division Street, near Collins. An off-duty Arlington police officer, who was in uniform, was attacked and pistol-whipped during the incident.
Investigators say the officer had just gotten off work at the East Patrol District and was in uniform, but wearing a civilian jacket, when he parked near the gas pumps at the store.
At some point a car parked next to his civilian vehicle and three people got out, leaving another inside who officials say moved from the passenger seat to behind the wheel.
According to the officer, the three suspects, who initially said nothing, immediately attacked him. After being hit several times and knocked to the ground one of the men shouted orders.
"One of the suspects demanded his wallet. He did have a firearm on his person, the officer did, but it was again covered up by the jacket," explained Lt. Chris Cook. "He didn't want them [suspects] to find out that he was armed, because he felt like there could be multiple suspects that had guns as well."
After giving the suspects his wallet and cell phone, the suspects jumped in the car and began speeding away. It was then that the officer got up and pulled his weapon
"Once the suspects jumped in the car he then did pull his firearm out, the officer did, and draw down on the vehicle. But at that time he heard one of them say 'He's got a gun,' and they peeled out of he parking lot and left," Cook said. The officer never fired his weapon.
Investigators say the officer was hit several times in the face and on the top of the head with a pistol. The officer, who has not been identified, elected not to go to the hospital and is expected to be okay.
The suspects fled from the scene in a white, 4-door sedan -- possibly a Mitsubishi Lancer -- that had a paper license tag on it.
"Regardless of whether this was an officer of not, these are four suspects that we need to catch," Cook said.
Police are looking into if the attack is related to other robberies in their city and surrounding areas.
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