Police say worker feared for her life during robbery

A 24-year-old Beaumont man has been accused of robbing an elderly store worker with scissors and making death threats to a police officer in Beaumont.

The man earlier this month was indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury for aggravated robbery and retaliation. He was charged in connection to two offenses that occurred on May 21, according to court documents.

Beaumont police officers received a call shortly before 10:30 a.m. from a Family Dollar store in the 1300 block of College Street reporting a disturbance.

Police were told a man had armed himself with a pair of scissors in order to get into a cigarette cabinet and had left the store with unpaid merchandise.

Police spoke to a 77-year-old store employee, who said the man entered the store and began yelling and using profanity.

“At some point, (the 24-year-old) walked behind the counter where the 77-year-old employee was, armed himself with a pair of scissors and because of his demeanor, she was in fear of her life and felt like he was going to stab her,” police said.

Police learned the man then returned to the aisles of the store, where he allegedly selected merchandise, walked to the counter and informed the staff that was not going to pay for the merchandise.

The man then exited the store with the scissors and merchandise, court documents said.

“Due to (the 24-year-old) intentionally or knowingly (placing) a person older than 65 years old in fear of imminent bodily injury or death while committing theft, (the man) was informed he was under arrest for aggravated robbery,” court documents said.

The 24-year-old also made other threats to a Beaumont police officer, court documents said.