Robbery Monday Night at Brownwood Convenience Store, Man Arrested

Brownwood News – According to a statement from the Brownwood Police Department, a man is in Brown County Jail after a robbery Monday night at a local convenience store.

On Monday, March 2, 2020, at approximately 11:15 pm officers were dispatched to the 7-11 Store at 1501 Coggin regarding a report of a Robbery that had just occurred.

Officers arrived at the store and around the area and learned from a male employee that an unknown male entered the store and robbed them with an unknown weapon.  The employee further stated that his female coworker was taken away by the male and taken into the alleyway, walking toward 5^th Street where they turned north.  Officer Adams walked into the alleyway while other officers canvased the area in their vehicles.

In the area of 5^th St and Avenue E, Officer Adams met up with Corporal Johnson and briefed him on the circumstances.  Following the short briefing, Officer Adams began walking back to the store while Cpl Johnson continued northbound on 5^th St.  At this moment, a female was heard screaming, then observed running from an open lot in the 1700 block of Avenue E.  As officers approached her, they confirmed she was the store clerk and further observed a male subject running in the field behind her.  Officer Adams gave chase, along with Cpl Johnson, and they were able to detain him a short distance later.

The male subject identified himself as Joe Black; born in ’62.  The Texas ID card in his possession, however, identified him as 59-year-old Joseph Hardman of Brownwood.

A communications check revealed that Hardman had a warrant for his arrest out of Pardon and Parole for Aggravated Robbery.  Hardman was arrested for the warrant as well as Evading Detention and Failure to ID-Fugitive.  Hardman was transported to the Brown County Jail where he continued to deny his identity.

The female store clerk was transported to the Brownwood Regional Medical Center for care and evaluation.  She was not harmed, according to police.  During her interview with police, she stated that the man (Hardman) entered the store and walked behind the counter where she was standing.  Hardman told her that ‘he had a gun on her’ and he grabbed hold of her from behind.  Hardman spoke with the male employee and demanded money and cigarettes.  When this was given, Hardman continued out the store and into the alleyway toward 5^th St.  The female victim told Hardman that he had what he wanted and could let her go but he refused.  They made it to the open field and Hardman forced the female clerk to the ground and demanded oral sex.  At this moment, the female clerk observed officers in the area and she broke free from Hardman and ran toward them.

Hardman was ultimately charged with the warrant for Aggravated Robbery, Evading Detention, Failure to ID Fugitive and Aggravated Kidnapping.  According to Brown County Jail Records, Hardman’s bonds total $207,500.

While being searched in the jail, a baggy of marijuana was also located and he was additionally charged with that possession, according to the police report.