Crime

Teen Suspects in Houston Robbery Leave Woman Paralyzed [Video]

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Joseph Harrell, 17, and Zy’Nika Ayesha Woods, 19, are both charged with Aggravated Robbery with Serious Bodily Injury for a violent robbery in Houston that left a woman paralyzed.

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The “Jugging” robbery occurred while the woman, Nhung Truong, 44, was walking in front of a shopping center in the 9800 block of Bellaire around 11:30 a.m. Feb. 13.

“Jugging involves thieves following victims around before robbing them while their hands are full and juggling cell phones and car keys.”

Investigators say Ms. Truong withdrew money from the Bank of America on Blackhawk Blvd near the Beltway and was followed by the suspect nearly 24 miles away to the shopping center.

Joseph Harrell                                                                       Zy’Nika Ayesha Woods

According to police, While at the shopping center, Truong reported that she was approached by a man, later identified as Harrell, who grabbed her and tried to take the envelope with cash that she was holding.

Houston Police say Truong dropped her things on the ground, and Harrell ran away with what he thought was the envelope. Seconds later, authorities say the suspect returned, picked Truong up, body-slammed her to the ground, and ran away with the envelope.

Investigators found surveillance video of the vehicle license plate the suspects were in. They eventually located the vehicle and identified Woods as the driver.

Woods was later detained for a traffic violation and confessed to police that she had taken part in the robbery. Harrell was brought in on a separate case, and he, too, reportedly admitted to being part of the robbery against Truong with Woods.

The attack damaged Truong’s spinal cord and left her paralyzed, unable to walk or use the bathroom alone. Instead, the single mom has to rely on a wheelchair and help from her three kids, who are 13, 15, and 20 years old and still in school.

The family told FOX 26 that the suspect stole about $4,300 from them. Truong had been saving up to visit her family in Vietnam, whom she hadn’t seen in nearly six years.

“I’m feeling very horrible and sad at the same time,” said Truong.

Doctors have told the family there’s only a 50-percent chance Truong will fully recover.

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Both suspects have been charged with aggravated robbery with serious bodily injury. The bond for Woods was set at $50,000, and Harrell currently has no bond.

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