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Mar 21, 2008 4:59 pm US/Central
Dallas Woman Robbed Of Money, Ring & Set Afire
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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While a woman waited at a Dallas bus stop, a robber took her money and jewelry, then set her on fire.
KTVT / KTXA
It's a crime that has shaken both police officers and firefighters. Early Friday morning, after stealing from a female victim the robber then set the woman on fire.
Friday evening Dallas police investigators were left working on leads in the case. Even veteran investigators say they are stunned at the senseless violence.
The woman was apparently set afire for $24 and her wedding ring.
The unspeakable attack occurred at 7:15 Friday morning as Lawanda Taylor waited at a bus stop. The only saving grace is she was close enough to Dallas Fire Station #24 to stumble to safety.
"[I] noticed she had some liquid on her front and some burn marks," said firefighter Doug Rener. "[She] said that somebody had robbed her of a ring and some money and set her on fire, set her clothes on fire."
Paramedic Patrick Anderson Jr. told CBS 11 News, "She was crying hysterically and um, she was just complaining of having being burned on her neck and her chest."
According to police and firefighters reports, the suspect surprised Taylor from behind. The victim says her assailant was wearing a mask and a hoodie. "Some guy came behind her, she didn't get a chance to look at his face or nothing like that," Anderson explained. "But he came behind her wearing a mask and he said, "Hand over your stuff. Give me all your money."
The robber demanded that Taylor turn over her money and ring, then ordered her to kneel down. The woman told police he poured a cold liquid on her - then she heard a click and there were flames all around.
Taylor told fire officials that she rolled around on the ground to extinguish the flames. Friday she was in fair, but stable condition at a local hospital.
Even veterans who've seen a lot are amazed at the callousness of the robber. "The idea that somebody would do that to another person, especially after she said that she voluntarily gave them what they asked for," says Rener. "She didn't try to resist the robbery and then they still did that to her. To me that's bizarre."
Police have a very vague description of the robber, but are actively seeking leads in the case and continue their search for the suspect.
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