Wayne Douglas Smith, 41, of Haltom City was arrested Saturday on charges of aggravated robbery and evading arrest with a vehicle after police officials say he threatened a clerk at the 7-Eleven convenience store located at 401 Birdwell Lane.

According to Sgt. Tony Everett, public information officer for the BSPD, the altercation began with a casual transaction at the store around 2 p.m. Saturday, and later escalated to a very odd confrontation between Smith and the store clerk.

“The suspect went into the store and purchased some items. While he was making the purchase, he asked the clerk where he had bought his watch, which the clerk told him he had bought it at Wal-Mart,” said Everett. “The suspect left the store and got into his vehicle, where he waited for the customers to leave.

“Once all of the other customers had left the store, the suspect entered with a ball-peen hammer and threatened the clerk, demanding the watch,” Everett added. “The clerk gave him the watch and as the suspect was walking out of the store, he turned around and threw it back at him and fled.”

Everett said the clerk called and reported the altercation to the police, at which time an officer began making his way to the scene.

“While responding to the 7-Eleven, an officer spotted a pickup matching the description of the truck the suspect was driving. He attempted to stop him and that's when the suspect tried to make a run for it,” said Everett. “The chase began on the south Interstate Highway 20 Service Road and eventually ended up on the interstate headed west.”

Everett said the suspect left the roadway and came to a stop in a field west of Big Spring.

“At that point he fled on foot,” Everett said. “However, when he stopped the truck, the catalytic converter ignited some brush under the vehicle, so not only did officers have a foot chase on their hands, but emergency responders with the fire departments quickly had a brush fire to deal with. The truck was burned to the ground.”

With assistance from a helicopter provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Everett said officers were able to locate Smith and take him into custody.

“As far as we can tell, the suspect doesn't have a history of mental illness, but more information may turn up later on this,” said Everett.

No injuries were reported as a result of the robbery or the chase, according to police officials.

Everett said a second report of aggravated robbery was reported earlier in the day, this time at the Gold Rush Discount Tobacco shop located 804 E. Third Street.

“The call came in at 11:42 a.m.,” said Everett. “A white female suspect, about 5 feet, 2 inches tall wearing all black clothing, a hat and sunglasses, approached the clerk behind the counter. She told the clerk she wanted what was in the register and displayed a large knife in her left hand. At that point, the clerk ran to another part of the store and told a coworker.”

When the clerk and coworker returned, however, the mysterious would-be robber was nowhere to be found.

“No injuries were reported as a result of the altercation, and no arrests have been made at this time,” said Everett.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact the BSPD at 264-2550 or Big Spring Area Crimestoppers at 263-TIPS or 264-TIPS.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it