A Bowie County grand jury indicted a 19-year-old man Thursday for aggravated robbery and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Oral Shorter Jr. allegedly attacked the clerk Oct. 20 as she was walking out of a freezer at EZ Mart on Texas Blvd. at about 2:30 a.m., according to a probable cause affidavit. Shorter can allegedly be seen on video surveillance footage entering the store and committing the crime.
Shorter allegedly shouted, “Give me the money,” when he attacked, stabbing the clerk in the shoulder with the tool. Shorter allegedly yelled, “Give me the money or I’ll kill your ass,” as the clerk attempts to explain that she cannot open the store’s safe. Shorter allegedly stabbed the clerk again and began shaking the safe.
Before leaving the store, Shorter allegedly stole the clerk’s backpack. Shorter was arrested on a bicycle north of the area transit station at Texas Blvd. and 15th Street.
Shorter allegedly told officers he committed the robbery because he was “tired of being broke,” and “it was a way to release his anger,” and he “just wanted a way to get out of Texarkana.”
While being interviewed by detectives later that day, Shorter allegedly admitted to stealing a blue 2018 Ford Escape the day before. Detectives told Shorter he could be seen taking the vehicle the day before in video surveillance footage and pointed out that he was wearing the same shirt and shoes as in the video.
Shorter allegedly admitted to having stolen the Escape near Wadley Hospital in Texarkana. Shorter allegedly said he parked the car in a lot near Wisdom Animal Clinic on Texas Blvd. and slept in it. The car’s owner said she accidentally left the keys inside because of a heavy rain.
If convicted of aggravated robbery, Shorter faces five to 99 years or life in prison. If found guilty of auto theft, Shorter faces six months to two years in a Texas state jail.
