Elderly robbery victim says he was targeted because of his age

HOUSTON – A northwest Houston man believes two men who robbed him at his apartment complex targeted him because of his age.

"They were looking for easy prey and it just happened to be me," 68-year-old Ben Leal said.

Leal, who is retired, lives in a well-kept apartment complex on the 5500 block of Holly View Drive. He is seen on surveillance video driving into the complex just moments after two unidentified men walked in through an open security gate.

"It looks like they were just waiting for whoever came through," Houston Police Officer Matt Worsham said.

Worsham, who is a member of the department's Investigative First Responder division, has not linked the men to any other specific crimes, but believes the men are "still active."

Leal was not seriously injured after complying with the robbers' demands, which included emptying his pockets and handing over his keys.

"I thought I was going to die," Leal said.

The men, possibly in their 20s,  rifled through Leal's car and ultimately left the scene on foot without injuring the retiree. One of the suspects was wearing bright orange shoelaces.

Police are asking anyone with information about the crime or the suspects to call Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS.