A convicted felon has been sentenced to life in prison for stealing a gold ring from a mentally impaired man who received the jewelry after working 10 years at a fast-food restaurant.
The Waco Tribune-Herald reports jurors earlier Wednesday convicted Ruben Miguel Alaniz of Riesel of aggravated robbery of a disabled person.
Patrick Abel of Bellmead, who worked at McDonalds, testified he was walking in a park in 2012 and "being nice" when he approached a man working on a vehicle. Abel says the man took his ring, displayed a gun and drove off.
Abel's employers later replaced the jewelry.
Alaniz had an aggravated assault conviction for burning his ex-wife with a hot knife and four misdemeanor convictions. He must serve 30 years before being eligible for parole.
