March 29, 2005
By Domingo Ramirez Jr.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

BEDFORD - A convenience store owner was beaten and robbed Monday morning by a bandit who rushed into the store minutes after it opened and attacked her from behind, police said.

The 55-year-old owner from Grand Prairie was hit numerous times in the head and face, according to police reports. She was taken to Harris Methodist H.E.B. hospital, where she was treated and released.

The holdup occurred about 7:15 a.m. at Viva Food Mart, 1305 Brown Trail.

The victim told police that before opening, she saw a young man and a teen-age girl in front of the store. The couple did not enter the store when she opened for the day, police said.

"She was concerned enough that she called her husband at another store," Bedford Lt. Kirk Roberts said. "But a few minutes later, she decided everything was fine and went back to working in the store."

The owner told police that she was attacked a few seconds later.

"The [robber] used his fists and other objects to hit her in the face and head," Roberts said.

The robber took an undetermined amount of cigarette cartons. He left on foot, police said.

The victim described the robber as a white man in his early 20s, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and wearing a black-hooded sweat suit. He had his nose and ear pierced, police said.

Anyone with information should call Bedford police at (817) 952-2431.

Domingo Ramirez Jr., (817) 685-3822 ramirez@star-telegram.com
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