

by JONATHAN BETZ
WFAA
Posted on February 19, 2011 at 9:48 PM
Updated yesterday at 10:10 PM
DALLAS — Dallas police say they have four people in custody in connection with a string of armed robberies early Saturday morning.
Officers say five people were beaten and robbed at four different locations in West Dallas within one hour.
Police say the crime spree began at 6:15 a.m. when two men robbed a 55-year-old man at gunpoint in the 1900 block of West Commerce Street.
Fifteen minutes later, detectives say the two suspects ambushed Miguel Hernandez and a co-worker while they were pumping gas in the 1800 block of Sylvan Avenue.
"When I started to turn around, he hit me! He hit me right here with the gun," Hernandez said, showing a large knot on his head and a small cut. "I said, 'Don't kill me, man! Let me give you my money!'"
Before Hernandez could retrieve his wallet, the construction worker said the men pushed him to the ground and put the gun to his chest.
"He put the gun on me, and he try to shoot it! I don't know... maybe something locked because I hear the 'click, click, click,'" Hernandez said.
Apparently frustrated that the gun misfired, the victim said the men took off and were able to fire one random shot as they fled.
"I think he wanted to kill me," Hernandez said.
After stealing $185 from Hernandez and his colleague, police said the suspects headed towards the U.S. Post Office on Interstate 30, where a 58-year-old postal worker loading mail was pistol-whipped and robbed.
Police suspect the two men then broke down the front door of a modest home in the 800 block of Cumberland Street. Officers say the men then beat Jerry Adkins and demanded cash.
"They had guns and said, 'gimme your money!'" the 71-year-old victim told News 8. When he told the intruders he didn't have any money, they just got angrier.
"They kept scremaing and screaming at me," Adkins said. He said the men hit him several times, including striking him in the face with the butt of a gun. He has a cut on his nose and a black eye.
The struggle woke up his friend, Yolanda Vargas.
"They took out a gun and aimed it at him," she said, "and then they shot!"
The bullet missed Adkins and the suspects fled, getting away with Adkins' old cell phone.
"They kept asking for money," Adkins said. "They could have taken the TV if they wanted something bad enough."
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