Authorities have charged two brothers, ages 23 and 21, with the robbery of a gas station in Harris County, Texas. Sheriff’s deputies shot the younger of the two brothers when he allegedly pointed a gun at them after being ordered to drop it. Police filed theft charges against both brothers and assault charges against the wounded suspect.
Deputies went to the gas station in response to a report of a robbery. Deputies arrived at the gas station as the suspects exited the station’s convenience store. When they allegedly saw one of the suspects holding a gun, the deputies told him to drop it, but he pointed the gun at one of them. Both deputies fired at the suspect. A helicopter took the wounded suspect to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition. His brother, who was uninjured, was arrested and taken into custody.
Sheriff’s deputies filed aggravated robbery charges against both men and an aggravated assault on a peace officer charge against the wounded suspect. Each of the charges is a felony. The penalties faced by the two brothers include incarceration in state prison, supervised probation or parole, and fines.
A criminal record resulting from a conviction for aggravated robbery and aggravated assault can have far-reaching consequences. A felony criminal record may make it difficult for a person to obtain employment, qualify for licensing for certain jobs and professions, or obtain benefits for financing education.
Even misdemeanor theft crimes such as shoplifting can leave a person with a criminal record. A criminal defense attorney can help those individuals charged with theft crimes by challenging the strength of the evidence and credibility of witnesses the prosecution intends to use to prove the allegations of wrongdoing.
Source: Houston Chronicle, “Deputies ID two suspects in gas station robbery,” Dale Lezon, Oct. 9, 2012