No charges for man in Costco robbery; victim's mother furious

Randy Anderson was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon

HOUSTON – The Harris County District Attorney's Office Wednesday declined to pursue charges against Randy Anderson, a man accused of an armed robbery of a teenage Costco clerk.
 
Neither Houston police nor the D.A.'s office would say what actually happened at the Costco parking lot at Weslayan and Richmond last weekend. But after interviewing the teen who filed the report and Anderson, they determined a robbery had not occurred.
 
The mother of the clerk had been very vocal in telling her son's side of the story, sharing it on social media and giving several interviews to news media.
 
But in a statement Wednesday, Kate Poole said, "My son is NOT a liar and in no way should be treated as such. This is sickening and our entire family is extremely upset. "
 
Houston police say Poole's son will not face charges for filing a false police report.
 
Anderson was released from the city jail after the charges were dropped, but he's now in the Harris County Jail for a parole violation from a previous theft conviction.
 
Police say they are still investigating to see whether Anderson is connected to any other crimes.

After we first told you on KPRC 2 News at 10 p.m. Monday about a crime alert, the story quickly became the most popular story on Click2Houston.com and it got your attention on Facebook as well, shared hundreds of times. Social media is also where at least two possible victims said they recognized the accused thief.

Since we broke the story, more people have come forward saying they also had encounters with this man who they said used words, not a weapon to get what he wanted from them.

Manuel Palomino spins for a living. But he said the suspect spun a tale so believable two weeks ago it left him $100 poorer.

"This guy was clean cut. Clothes looked good. Shoes were nice," Palomino said.

Palomino said the man who police now identify as Randy Anderson approached him saying he needed money to get his work truck out of the tow yard.

"'Man to man, I don't ask for money but if you could spare me some money,'" Palomino claims the man said to him.

Palomino said he just felt like doing a good deed so they went to an ATM inside a grocery store.

"I put my card in. It wasn't working. Put it in. Wasn't working," Palomino said. "(Anderson) was like, 'You're doing it wrong.' For a guy who needs money you shouldn't be talking to me like that."

Palomino took out $80, then $20 more after he said Anderson insisted.

"'Do you have anything I can hold of yours?' He said, 'You can take my picture if you want,' I said, 'No that's OK,'" Palomino said.

Monday night Palomino couldn't believe it when he saw the man's picture spreading all over social media.

"It shocked me. It really did. That's the guy who took the $100 from me," he said.

Anderson was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon and questioned over an armed robbery that took place a busy Costco parking lot a few days ago.

On Wednesday, Houston police said they received new information from the victim and that the Harris County District Attorney's Office will not charge Anderson.

The mother of the 19-year-old Costco employee told KPRC 2 that police intimidated him and said he was lying.

"My son is not a liar and in no way should be be treated as such. This is sickening and our entire family is upset," she told KPRC 2.

Police said other cases involving Anderson are still being investigated, but no charges have been filed at this time. He remains in jail.

A criminal search of Anderson's shows a lengthy criminal record for robbery, burglary, theft and drugs.

Robbery suspect left photo behind

The Costco employee who was robbed is hoping a crook's mistake will help lead to his capture.

“I want him off to streets. I don't want anyone to get hurt, the victim’s mother Kate Poole said.

Strong words from a worried mother to the man she says robbed her son at gunpoint.

The 19-year-old who wished to not be identified said he was on his lunch break in the store parking lot when a man approached him asking for help.

“He said his car had been towed and he needed money to get his car back from the company,” Poole said.

She's says her son was willing to help, but asked for the guy’s name and more.

"My son said ‘OK great, not a problem. Let me get your picture so I know what you look like and info and stuff,’” Poole said.

The man obliged, and the victim snapped his picture, according to the family. That’s when things took a turn.

“So he took his picture, as soon as he put the phone back in his pocket, he pulled a gun on him,” Poole said.

The man forced the victim to go to a nearby ATM and withdraw $200 that he got away with. But, he left the phone behind, his picture and all.

“He has such a big heart and to hear someone take advantage of him like that just breaks my heart,” Poole said.

She’s hoping the evidence the crook left behind will land the guy behind bars.

“This guy is still out there. I want everybody to be careful, be aware of what he looks like,” Poole said.


About the Authors:

Galveston-born, award-winning journalist, dog owner, foodie & occasional golfer.