A 39-year-old man has been taken into custody in Houston after posing as a U.S. sheriff to commit a robbery against a Cuban national outside his family business. Jonathan Prince, the suspect, is now facing charges for theft and impersonating a public official following a failed armed robbery that could have ended disastrously, according to ABC 13.
The incident unfolded in West Houston near Gessner and Harwin when Prince, dressed in a uniform and brandishing a gun, confronted Javier Reyes, a Cuban immigrant who was taking out the trash at his liquor store. "He yelled at me, 'I'm the police! Get on the ground!'" Reyes recalled.
Confrontation Turns Dangerous
The situation escalated when Prince revealed his true intentions. "Once I was on the ground, he told me, 'This is a robbery. I'm not a cop.' He put the gun to my head and threatened, 'I can kill you right now,'" recounted Reyes.
Inside the store, Reyes' wife was watching the encounter unfold. "In the back of the liquor store, you can't hear anything. Thank God I realized what was happening," she wrote on Instagram. Without hesitation, she grabbed her gun from beneath the cash register and went to her husband's aid.
Brave Response from Spouse
Firing several shots, she managed to wound the assailant, forcing him to flee. "Everything happens so fast, and you don't know how you'll react. But I know the area we're in, and that's why I'm always armed," she explained.
Prince left his gun and shoes behind, fleeing in a red vehicle after being hit by one of the bullets. The robbery attempt, captured by security cameras, caused alarm within Houston's Cuban community, especially given the use of a sheriff's uniform amid ongoing fears of immigration raids and arbitrary arrests. Initially, Reyes believed it was a legitimate law enforcement operation.
Aftermath and Community Impact
Following the event, the police briefly detained the couple but did not press charges. "Thank God we don't have any charges; it was all in self-defense," Reyes' wife stated in another post. "Today, we understand things much more clearly, which is why I'm sharing this with you all."
She also issued a message on social media directed at those living in vulnerable areas. Although the arrest of Prince marks a step towards justice, the Cuban couple is still dealing with the trauma. "We haven't returned to the store," they admitted.
Prince appeared before a judge on Monday. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if others were involved in the attempted robbery.
Understanding the Legal and Social Implications
What charges is Jonathan Prince facing?
Jonathan Prince is facing charges of theft and impersonating a public official.
How did the victim's wife respond to the robbery attempt?
The victim's wife responded by grabbing her gun and shooting at the assailant, ultimately wounding him and forcing him to flee.
What was the outcome for the couple after the incident?
The couple was briefly detained but faced no charges as the event was deemed self-defense.