Posted 9:59 pm Saturday, April 28, 2012
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Suspect Caught With Restaurant Employees’ Help
A robbery of a woman in a restaurant parking lot was thwarted when employees of the business came to the woman's aid and apprehended the suspect.
Tyler police said the incident happened about 2:30 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of the Whataburger, 6849 S. Broadway Ave.
The first 911 calls indicated the woman and man appeared to be in a fight, but while officers were en route they were informed the man identified as Todd Lax, 24, of Arlington, was being held by the employees.
Police said they were able to determine the woman and a friend had just left Wal-Mart where they work when Lax followed them and attempted to steal the woman's purse.
"A struggle ensued between Lax and the victim over the purse, which resulted in the victim being pushed to the ground and dragged across the parking lot by Lax. The victim's fellow Wal-Mart employee alerted the Whataburger employees who immediately took action by preventing Lax from fleeing the scene and holding him until officers arrived," a news release stated.
Police said the victim suffered only minor injuries from the incident and Lax was arrested on felony robbery charges.
