A 39-year-old man was arrested in Houston after impersonating a U.S. marshal to rob a Cuban in front of his family business.
The detainee, identified as Jonathan Prince, faces charges of robbery and impersonation of a public servant after being involved in an attempted armed robbery that could have ended in tragedy, reported ABC 13.
The attack occurred in the west of Houston, around Gessner and Harwin, where Prince burst in wearing a uniform and brandishing a weapon against Javier Reyes, a Cuban immigrant who was taking out the trash at his liquor store. “He yelled at me: ‘I'm the police! Get on the ground!’”, Reyes recalled.
The situation became even more violent when the attacker revealed his true intentions. “When he had me on the ground, he said: ‘It’s a robbery. I’m not a police officer’. He put the gun to my head and said: ‘I can kill you right now’”, the victim recounted.
From inside the establishment, his wife watched everything in silence. “In the back of the liquor store, nothing can be heard. Thank God I realized what was happening”, she wrote on Instagram. Without hesitation, she grabbed her weapon, which she had placed under the cash register, and stepped out to defend him.
The woman fired several times, wounding the assailant and forcing him to flee. “Everything happens very quickly, and the truth is you don’t know how you’ll react under pressure. But I know the area we’re in, and that’s why I always carry a weapon,” she recounted.
The attacker left behind his gun and shoes. One of the shots hit Prince, who managed to escape in a red vehicle.
The assault was captured by security cameras and caused alarm in the Cuban community of Houston, especially due to the use of a sheriff's uniform, in a context where fears of immigration raids and arbitrary detentions persist. Reyes admitted that, at first, he thought it was a real operation.
After the incident, the police briefly detained the couple, but they do not face charges. "Thank God we don't have any charges; it was all in self-defense," she explained in another post. "Today we have much clearer things, and that is the reason I'm sharing everything with you."
On his social media, he shared a message directed at those living in vulnerable areas.
Although the arrest of the assailant represents a step toward justice, the Cuban couple has still not managed to overcome the trauma. "We haven't returned to the store," they confessed.
Prince appeared before a judge on Monday. Authorities continue to investigate whether there are others involved in the attempted theft.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Assault on a Cuban in Houston
Who is Jonathan Prince and why was he arrested in Houston?
Jonathan Prince was arrested for impersonating a U.S. marshal to rob a Cuban in Houston. He faces charges of robbery and impersonating a public servant following an attempted armed robbery.
How did the victim's wife react during the assault?
The victim's wife, Yudi Lara, defended her husband by shooting the assailant, forcing him to flee. She witnessed the attack from inside the business and decided to take action upon realizing the seriousness of the situation.
What impact has this incident had on the Cuban community in Houston?
The incident raised alarm in the Cuban community in Houston, particularly due to the use of the sheriff's uniform, in a context of fears surrounding immigration raids and arbitrary detentions.
What measures were taken against the Cuban couple after the assault?
The Cuban couple was briefly detained but does not face charges. The police determined that they acted in self-defense, and the case was considered as such.
What message did the victim's wife share after the incident?
Yudi Lara advised those living in vulnerable areas to be prepared and armed. She expressed her gratitude for being able to defend her husband and shared a message of caution and self-defense on her social media.
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