Men took $16,000, shop owner reports

A North Little Rock auto shop owner was robbed of $16,000 by three men who threatened and followed him, he told police.

Officers were called about 6 p.m. Tuesday to Sebastian Tire Shop, 1600 E. Broadway, where the owner said he had been robbed about 9 a.m. Sunday, according to a report.

Two men had entered the business, told the shop owner they knew where he lived and demanded a payment of $40,000, the report said. They also threatened to kill him and his family if he did not pay.

The owner told the men he did not have that much money, and they said they would return to pick up the cash later in the day. The two got into a black SUV with a yellow and black license plate that was being driven by a third man, authorities said. The three returned to the shop about 7 p.m., and the owner said he gave the men $16,000, the report said.

The owner said he was driving on Interstate 40 near Conway about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday when he saw the same three people staring at him from a gray newer-model Honda passenger car..

One of the robbers was described as black and having short black dreadlocks, a beard, a tattoo that read “Ricky” on his arm and one eye missing. The owner said all three looked to be in their late 20s, were of average height and weight, spoke fluent Spanish with a “New York” accent and wore expensive clothing.