PEARLAND, Texas – Police are asking for the public's help in finding the second suspect in a robbery that was orchestrated to look like a car accident.
It happened around 12:45 a.m. Sunday in the 2800 block of the South Sam Houston Tollway.
According to investigators, the victim is a gas station owner who was heading to the bank to make a cash deposit. Police said 24-year-old Dale Campbell and a second suspect pulled up behind the victim and intentionally bumped his car.
The victim told police he decided to pull over because he thought it was a fender-bender. Next, the two suspects showed a gun and demanded cash, police said.
Police said Campell beat up the victim in the middle of the street, only stopping when he saw a Pearland police officer drive up. That's when the second suspect drove away. Meanwhile, Campbell ran away on foot with the cash and was arrested for aggravated robbery after a short pursuit, police said.
Lt. Onesimo Lopez with the Pearland Police Department described what the officer saw.
"It was technically not in Pearland, but he was just driving on the beltway, exited the beltway got on the feeder, and as he drove up he saw two people fighting in the middle of the road," said Lopez.
Part of the fight was captured by the dashcam in the responding officer's vehicle, police said.
Lopez said drivers should watch out for similar bump schemes.
"Where the victim stopped was in a poorly lit area and still on the roadway and not necessarily the safest place to stop. If someone is bumped from behind, turn your flashers on but go to someplace that's well lit," said Lopez.
Police said the second suspect was last seen in a dark-colored SUV.
Anyone with information about the robbery or suspect's whereabouts is urged to contact the Brazoria County Crime Stoppers at 800-460-2222.