Press Release from the Walker County Sheriff’s Department
On Saturday April 9, 2011 at 8:56 p.m Deputy Sean Smith and Sergeant Brian Smallwood with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to an Aggravated Robbery at the Valero convenience store located at 2211 US 190 in Walker County, Texas. Upon arrival Deputy Smith met with the victim who advised he was pumping gasoline into his vehicle when an unknown male approached and pointed a handgun at him. The suspect then ordered the victim to give him his wallet, which contained approximately $800.00 in US Currency and various credit cards. The suspect also advised the victim that if he did not follow instruction he would be shot. Upon obtaining the victim’s belongings the suspect then hurriedly re-entered his vehicle and exited the parking lot.
At that point the victim called 911 reporting the incident and provided a description of the suspect and the direction of travel of the suspect’s vehicle, which was described as an older model grey Suburban. Due to the vehicle traveling east on US 190 the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office was also notified at which point they broadcasted the information to their deputies as well. A short time later San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Deputies received a call pertaining to a second robbery at the Shell station in Point Blank, Texas involving what was later determined to be the same suspect vehicle involved in the Walker County robbery. Shortly thereafter Sergeant Jerry Morton advised that San Jacinto County deputies had spotted the suspect vehicle as it was leaving the area of the Shell station in Point Blank. At that point officers attempted to conduct a Felony Traffic Stop on the suspect vehicle at which point a short vehicle pursuit ensued and the suspects wrecked out, rolling the vehicle several times. According to Sergeant Morton the vehicle was occupied by Raymond Helmick III 25, Heather Dixon 21, Samantha Starkey 25 and a three month old male child. Sergeant Morton advised all three individuals were detained for the Attempted Robbery. He further advised the three month old was transported to the hospital for evaluation. The child was ok and was released in the care of Child Protective Services.
After further investigation Raymond Helmick III was arrested and charged with Aggravated Robbery and all of the victim’s cash and credit cards were located and returned to the victim in this case. The punishment if found guilty could be 5 to 99 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.
Due to the combined investigative effort of the Walker County Sheriff’s Office and the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office the suspect in this case was apprehended and taken into custody for the felony offence and further protection of our community.
Walker County Sheriff Clint McRae would like to thank the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s office for their assistance and willingness to go above and beyond.
