Robbery suspects wanted after being caught on video beating 70-year-old man with his cane

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Authorities are looking for two robbery suspects after they say a 70-year-old man was beaten with his own cane last month.

The Houston Police Department released surveillance video showing the Sept. 22 incident in front of a cell phone store in the 8700 block of Tidwell Road.

At about 3:45 p.m., police said two suspects approached the victim. One of them allegedly punched the man in the face, causing him to fall.

One of the suspects can then be seen on video forcing the cane out of the victim's hands and beating him with it.

"They kept kicking me, so I saw my cane. I got my cane to try to move them out. And the rubber part of my cane came out, and that's when they get the cane and start hitting me with it," the victim, Thomas Shelby, said in an interview only on ABC13. "The guy with the mask hits me in the eye with the cane.

HPD says the suspects took the man's cell phone, cash, and cigarettes before running off.

"They said, 'Man, you owe us $25, you know?' And I said, 'Man, I've never seen either one of you before in my life,'" Shelby said. "While he's talking to me, the other guy comes around the security guard and hits me and knocks me down, and they start kicking me and stomping."

Shelby told Eyewitness News he was bruised up and in pain but on the road to recovery. He said next week, he will be seen by an eye specialist to determine what is going on with his eye. At this point, the eye that was hit with the cane is very difficult to see out of.

The first suspect is described as a Black man wearing a white shirt and black shorts, and the second suspect is a Black man wearing a black pullover with brown pants.

Authorities urge you to contact HPD at 713-308-8800 or Crime Stoppers of Houston directly if you have any information related to this investigation.

Information leading to the charging and/or arrest of any felony suspects may result in a cash payment of up to $5,000.

Tipsters must contact Crime Stoppers directly to remain anonymous and to be considered for a cash payment by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitting an online tip, or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app.

For updates on this story, follow Daniela Hurtado on Facebook, X and Instagram.