Houston taco stand owner kills tip jar thief
By DALE LEZON
Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
June 8, 2010, 6:48PM
A mobile taco stand owner shot and killed a man he said stole a tip jar from his truck last weekend.
The shooting happened in the 8300 block of La Porte Road about 2:45 a.m. Saturday, police said.
The suspected thief, identified by police as Benito Pantoja, 24, was shot at least once in the left shoulder and was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital, where he later died.
No charges have been filed, but police said the case will be referred to a Harris County grand jury for review.
When patrol officers were dispatched to the scene they found Houston Fire Department paramedics treating Pantoja.
Officers later determined that Pantoja had stolen the taco stand's tip jar and that the owner, whose name has not been released, shot him as he tried to run away.
