Officials Seek Information on Robbery/Stabbing

RUSK — Authorities in Cherokee County are investigating a robbery/stabbing and seeking the public’s help. According to the sheriff’s department, on Friday at approximately 7:40 p.m., the victim was traveling north on State Hwy. 110 when he encountered a truck sitting in the north lane of traffic, approximately a mile and a half north of State Hwy. 204. Authorities say the victim stopped his vehicle behind the truck and got out to see if he could be of assistance.

According to law enforcement, a Hispanic male exited the driver side of the truck, and a Hispanic female exited the passenger side of truck. The male reportedly approached the victim and asked if he could use his cell phone. The victim reportedly told the male that he would have to get his phone from his truck and turned to return to his vehicle.

Authorities say the male suspect said something in Spanish causing the victim to turn around towards him. The male suspect then reportedly approached the victim and stabbed him three times in the right side of his stomach. Authorities say one of the suspects removed the victim’s wallet from his pants pocket and removed the money from his wallet. The suspects reportedly left in their vehicle traveling north on State Hwy. 110 toward New Summerfield.

According to the victim, the male suspect was 5-5 to 5-7, 170 to 180 lbs., of medium build, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans, with short hair, a short goatee with trimmed style sideburns and beard that connect, and a diamond style earring in his right ear. The female suspect is described as 5-5 to 5-7, with long black hair. The suspect vehicle is said to be a Ford truck, year model 1973-1979 body style, baby blue in color, single cab, with a possible exhaust leak (based on the sound of the truck). The vehicle is said to be similar to the one pictured at left.

The victim is not being identified at this time; however, on the night of the stabbing he was airlifted from the scene by CareFlight and taken to Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, where he underwent surgery. He was released late Sunday and returned home.