Business Owner Robbed Late Thursday Night

LIBERTY, April 9, 2010 - Shortly before midnight on Thursday, April 9th, Liberty EMS and Liberty Police responded to 725 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in Liberty where the owner of the La Officina Bar had been robbed and beaten severely.

According to the owner of the bar, Manuel Contreras of Liberty, a black female came into the Bar near closing time and was served a beer. When closing time came he escorted the female patron out of the bar where Contreras was attacked by two black males waiting outside as he was getting into the vehicle to leave.

According to Officer Frank Longoria of the City of Liberty Police Department, Contreras was carrying cash and his wallet and had just put these items in his white Chevy Suburban when the attack occurred.

The two black males severely beat Contreras with beer bottles about the face and head covering him in blood.

One of the black males took off in his Suburban and stopped on Navigation near the MoToGo Restaurant. The other male and female followed on foot getting in the vehicle and fled.

Luckily two witnesses who were neighbors came to the aid of Contreras and assisted him.

A short time after the incident Officer Cedric McDuffie located the vehicle on an oil field road, off Port Road beyond the boat ramp abandoned.

Deputy Travis Pierce assisted by searching the area and DPS Trooper Cory Davis held the scene where the Suburban was found.

According to Officer Longoria the suspects in this Aggravated Robbery are described at two black males, near 6 feet tall and a black female about 5ft. 4inches to 5ft. 6 inches tall. All were of slim build and were in their mid 20’s to mid 30’s.

Contreras was transported to Liberty Dayton Regional Medical Center in Liberty where he remained undergoing treatment several hours after the incident.