HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – He's still behind bars on a parole violation but Randy Anderson told Channel 2 he felt vindicated after police and the Harris County District Attorney's Office did not charge him with the armed robbery of a Costco employee that went viral on social media.
In a jailhouse interview Anderson said, "I'm not the guy who would use a weapon. On my daughter, I have never put a pistol or a knife in my hand."
Anderson said any money he received from anyone was given willingly and not under threat.
The 19-year-old worker told police Anderson approached him in the Costco parking lot at Richmond and Weslayan asking for money to get his towed truck back. He then said Anderson pulled a gun and made him withdraw $200 from an ATM.
Police arrested Anderson last week, but later said there was no evidence a crime occurred.
When asked about other people who had come forward saying Anderson had scammed them out of money he said, "I understand how people could say 'he's a con.'" He added, "I need to self-examine my behavior."
He even talked about paying back the Costco worker.
"I would be willing to pay restitution." Anderson said.
The Costco worker did not wish to comment, but his mother Kate Poole said, "We don't want anything from Randy Anderson."