Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Nov 19, 2009 7:11 pm US/Central
Dallas War Veteran Beaten Inside His Own Home
Arezow Doost
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
A North Texas veteran is home recovering after he says he was beaten and robbed.
The attack happened in the 8300 block of Freeport Drive in East Dallas on Wednesday morning.
The man who was a pilot over the pacific during World War II says he's been through a lot in his life, but he says he never expected to be beaten inside his own home.
"The lord has taken care of me through World War II and through yesterday," says A.J. Hilliard Jr.
Hilliard, 86, says he was asleep when he heard the door bell ring. He thought it was his neighbor.
"I opened it up and he had a knife and stuck it to my throat and he said give me your money or I'll kill you and I said come on in and I'll go get it," explains Hilliard.
Hilliard says he just wanted to cooperate.
He says he didn't have his hearing aid on and was having trouble hearing. Hilliard describes the attack and says he was bound, beaten with an iron and thrown in a closet for several hours.
"I put my hands up and went backwards I said please don't kill me and he stopped opened that door picked me up and shoved me in there," says the veteran.
Hilliard's son was the one who found him hours after the attack.
The family says the suspect got away with some cash, a handgun and jewelry.
"I was scared to death sure I'm angry I don't understand why people want to harm God teaches us to love and I've tried to do that all my life," says Hilliard.
Hilliard is a retired Dallas teacher and principal.
He has been treated for his injuries and says he's just grateful he wasn't killed. He also has some advice for others – advice he wishes he would have remembered.
"It's been told to me, but I didn't put it up here to remember, but I'll remember now."
Hilliard didn't get a good look at the hooded man. Dallas Police say no arrests have been made.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
CBS Mobile Launches Local News iPhone Apps
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments