Fort Worth

Hulen Mall Reopens After Robbery Suspect Arrest Inside: FWPD

Fort Worth Police say officers took 40-year-old Vernon Hassell into custody

An armed robber on the run was arrested at Hulen Mall, but not before forcing police to shut the mall down Saturday morning, according to Fort Worth Police.

Police say an armed man with a beard, glasses and a purple hoodie robbed a store along Camp Bowie Boulevard at about 10:30 a.m. The man then carjacked a 2017 pickup truck.

Thanks to a tracker on the pickup, police followed the truck to Hulen Mall where the alleged robber ran from officers and went into the mall.

Fort Worth Police Lock Down Hulen Mall

The mall was then locked down and officers searched for the man. Some inside were told to shelter in place and others were evacuated.

At 11:30 a.m. Fort Worth police tweeted a warning to the public to stay away from the mall.

At 11:40 a.m. Fort Worth Police reported the suspect was in custody. Police later said he was found in the boiler room of the Macy's.

Fort Worth Police tweeted just before 12:15 p.m. that the mall was still closed as police searched for evidence only. No other suspects were being pursued.

Just before 12:45 p.m. Fort Worth police tweeted that the mall was once again open to the public.

Police said 40-year-old Vernon Hassell was charged with five counts of aggravated robbery. He's being held on $50,000 bond. No word on if Hassell has been appointed an attorney.

Contact Us