Two 21-year-old men were in custody after they were linked to a robbery in the Fry Street area early Monday, Denton police said.
Christopher Tyler Hawk of Southlake is alleged to have attempted to steal a 1-pound bag of an “herbal mixed supplement” from a vendor who sells tobacco and alternative tobacco products from his van, police said.
According to police records, a man who police identified as Hawk grabbed a bag of herbs that sells for $15 an ounce from the van after 2 a.m. Monday. He was armed with a small black semiautomatic pistol and was fought to the ground with the help of two bystanders, according to the vendor, Michael Latimer, who is also known as E.B.
During a police investigation, one of the witnesses told police he was able to get the gun and unload the magazine.
Police said Hawk got up from the ground with help from his alleged accomplice, Justin Taylor Griffin of Sanger, who said, “That’s my gun,” and the two fled the area in a red Ford Mustang.
Officers reported they were able to track the two suspects using a license plate number the vendor was able to write down during a visit the two men had made in the evening, according to police records.
During a lineup at the police station, the two suspects were identified as Hawk and Griffin.
Hawk told police it was Griffin’s idea to rob the street vendor because Hawk owed him money, according to his arrest affidavit. He also said Griffin gave him the gun and told him it wasn’t loaded.
Griffin told police he saw several people on top of his friend, so he just stopped to help him out. He said he thinks Hawk robbed the street vendor, according to his arrest affidavit.
Police said one of the bystanders was punched in the face during the robbery and had a swollen eye. No other injuries were reported.
Officer Ryan Grelle, spokesman for the department, said the two suspects were arraigned Tuesday at the city jail and charged with aggravated robbery. Bail was set at $10,000 for each man, he said.
Other reports
600 block of College Street — Lewisville Assistant Fire Chief Terry McGrath said his department responded to a fire at an asphalt plant at 12:40 p.m. Monday.
An older tanker-type vehicle that been used to store some type of tar or asphalt product was being cut up for disposal when it ignited, he said.
“It was located inside the asphalt plant, so it was isolated and no structures or other items were involved,” McGrath said.
He said the fire was extinguished about two hours later with no injuries reported.
Roundup
From 7 a.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday:
Denton County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers handled 743 service and officer-initiated calls for the agencies they serve. Thirty people were booked into Denton County Jail.
Denton police responded to 276 service and officer-initiated calls and posted 19 reports online.
Denton firefighters responded to 33 medical calls and one good-intent call.
— Megan Gray-Hatfield
