Woman killed in Arlington attempted robbery where suspect fled, police say

A woman working at an Arlington shopping center was killed Friday morning during an attempted robbery, police say, and they are searching for the suspect.

Arlington police responded about 10 a.m. to a shopping center in the 6500 block of New York Avenue, near Southeast Parkway after a passerby reported seeing a woman engaged in “some type of physical struggle” with a man, police said.

When officers arrived, they found the 56-year-old woman lying unresponsive in the parking lot and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office would identify her.

Detectives determined the woman, who worked at a business in the shopping center, was headed to her job after stopping at a bank, police said. The suspect is believed to have possibly followed the woman from the bank and attempted to rob her.

Based on the woman’s condition, police said she may have fallen during the struggle before being struck by the suspect’s vehicle as he was fleeing.

Police said in a news release that they have not arrested a suspect and “do not have a great description” of the suspect vehicle. They are urging the public to call in any tips about the incident.

Pho Son Nam Vietnamese Restaurant said in a Facebook post that one of their employees was “attacked and taken away from us.”

“She was the most caring and wonderful woman, the best mother and grandmother to our family,” the restaurant wrote in the post.

It added that the woman put “her all into this restaurant and adored all of her customers as if they were family.” The Arlington restaurant wrote it has set up some flowers by its front door for those who would like to pay their respects.

Anyone with information may call Detective Anthony Stafford at 817-459-5739. Police said tipsters may remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County at 817-469-8477.