Purse-snatcher charged with 71-year-old’s murder in east Harris County, sheriff says

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A man has been charged with capital murder in a robbery that left a 71-year-old woman dead outside of a McDonald’s last month in east Harris County.

Records show 40-year-old Andrew Williams is accused of stealing Martha Medina’s purse, hitting her with his car and taking off. The incident in question happened at 430 Uvalde Road on Sept. 23, according to deputies.

Medina was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dea

As for Williams, he was taken to Harris County Jail, but records show he has a lengthy criminal history. In fact, on the day of the deadly robbery, Williams had been out on bond for the capital murder charge of Chima Ogbonnaya from March 2019. During the alleged 2019 crime, Williams had attempted to rob Erik Richardson and ended up killing Ogbonnaya.

Prior to that, Williams was accused of causing bodily injury to his ex-girlfriend by hitting her with a car. In 2017, he was convicted of assault-family violence and convicted of aggravated robbery in 2001, according to court documents.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez called that specific McDonald’s location where Medina was killed a “hub of the community” where Coffee With a Cop events, that connect residents with law enforcement, are routinely held.

The sheriff went on to say the victim was at the restaurant by herself and parked close to the entrance. She may have also tried to get a picture of the suspect before she was hit.

“Come on! This person came to eat. She had her food thrown on the floor. It breaks my heart. She’s someone’s loved one. It’s inexcusable,” he said.