Dallas Gate Agent Escapes Robbers with Airport Ruse

Apr. 23 -- Beaten and robbed of $24 and a watch seconds after stepping out of his car in Far East Dallas on Saturday night, Theodore Owens had to think fast.

Three young assailants, wielding a shotgun and a handgun, wanted more cash and threatened to kill him if he did not comply.

"They came with wild, horrendous threats, profanity," Mr. Owens said. "I was struck three times and hit [in the face] with the butt of the gun and hit in the left knee with the shotgun."

Mr. Owens, 44, said he promised them he could get more money.

The father of two from South Dallas first offered to take them to his nearby church, where he said there was hundreds of dollars waiting. His plan was to run once they let him out, he said. But that plan failed because too many church members were gathered outside.

"That's when Plan B when into effect, and it was definitely better than A," said Mr. Owens, a gate agent at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

"I had to think real quick. I said, 'Listen, without any complications, without any wait, the airport is always open, the credit union is always open. Let me take you there and you can get your money in no time.' "

The death threats continued as they drove.

"Once I kind of got a feel of what I was into, I knew they were going to bodily harm or kill me," Mr. Owens said. "I needed to think very quickly, 'What can I do to bring this to an end where I can get away safely?'

"I knew that once I arrived at the airport, with how vigilant police are there ... that I can easily evade them and get away, and that's what happened."

At airport Terminal D, two of the robbers waited in the car as the oldest escorted Mr. Owens inside.

The credit union is on the other side of airport security and only Mr. Owens could get through with his employee badge.

"I convinced him, I said 'Well, listen, why don't you wait right here? I'm going to go in, the bank is right there,' " Mr. Owens said. "And he fell for it. I said, 'Hallelujah.' I was home free."

Once out of sight, Mr. Owens called 911. Airport Department of Public Safety officers took it from there.

Lubrandon English, 19, was arrested in a bathroom stall. Ricky Yarberry, 18, was arrested by the vehicle, along with a 16-year-old boy whom police did not identify. Police also confiscated a shotgun and a 9 mm pistol. Mr. English, Mr. Yarberry and the 16-year-old were each charged with aggravated robbery, Dallas police Senior Cpl. Donna Hernandez said.

Though bloodied by the beating, Mr. Owens said he was not seriously injured and declined medical care.

"They were young and dumb and gullible and just looking for money," Mr. Owens said. "It's like a chapter out of a wild story or a major drama. I'm just grateful to be alive and thank God for it."

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