GETAWAY DRIVER IN BRENHAM ROBBERY CONVICTED
A Houston man arrested last April for his involvement in a robbery at the Brenham Wal-Mart has been convicted.
(Washington Co. Jail)
26-year-old Eric Denzel Latin was found guilty of Aggravated Robbery by a jury Wednesday afternoon. Latin was arrested after a brief pursuit with officers down Highway 290 towards Houston.
According to a release from the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, Latin and another Houston man were in a vehicle in the Wal-Mart parking lot the morning of April 29, 2018.
Latin, the driver, stopped the car behind the victim, an elderly lady parked in a handicap spot loading her groceries. Latin’s passenger got out of the car and pulled the victim’s purse off her arm, knocking her to the ground. The two fled the parking lot, but were followed by a citizen who witnessed the robbery and called authorities. They were soon arrested by law enforcement.
At the trial, Washington County District Attorney Julie Renken showed video from Wal-Mart of the offense, as well as Latin’s police interview and the recording of the 911 call. Latin testified as well, claiming he did not know the robbery was going to happen and was already driving down Highway 290 when he figured it out. Renken stated Latin’s story was “absurd” and “unbelievable”.
Assistant District Attorney Derek Estep thanked the citizen who pursued the co-defendants, saying the two will pay for their “reprehensible actions”. He said this is “just another case of Houston criminals thinking they can get away with committing a crime in Washington County”.
Judge Reva Towslee Corbett presided over the trial. Renken and Estep represented the State, while Calvin Garvie represented the Defendant.
Aggravated Robbery is a first degree felony punishable by 5-99 years, or life in prison. The offense of Robbery is committed when a victim is injured during a theft. Robbery becomes Aggravated Robbery if a deadly weapon is used, or as in this case, the victim is over the age of 65. Latin’s punishment hearing is scheduled for August 29th.