Robert Rodriguez says he feels pretty good for his age. At 88-years-old, he’s still mobile and driving and active.
On Thursday, he was making a trip to the Beall’s store on U.S. 19 in Hudson, just north of State Road 52, when a man approached his car in the parking lot.
It was 3:19 p.m. on Thursday, in broad daylight.
“Open the door, he pulled the door,” said Rodriguez, who had no idea he was about to become the victim of a crime. “And put the gun down here.”
The gunman pointed the gun at Rodriguez and began to bark out orders.
“He said, ‘get out of the car.’ I got out of the car. And then, ‘give me the keys.’ I gave him the keys,” said Rodriguez.
“He pushed me and that’s when I fall down to the floor and got this here,” he said as he pointed to a bruise. “And this down here and he just drove away.”
Pasco deputies rushed to the scene and located Rodriguez’s car less than a mile away. But there was no sign of the carjacker.
The suspect is described as either a light skinned black male or possibly a Hispanic male, approximately 40-50 years old, around 5’6″ – 5’7″ and 160 pounds.
He is clean shaven with black hair. He may possibly be known as “Allen.”
Rodriguez is pleased he wasn’t hurt worse. He still has no idea why the man picked him.
“Why this guy picked me out, you know, I don’t know. It’s probably because of where I was parked,” Rodriguez said. “Or probably, he said this is easy prey. ‘He’s an old man. Easy prey.'”
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Pasco Sheriff’s Office Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488.
