Gas Station Crashers Are Prime Suspects in a Houston Murder, LIVINGSTON, November 22, 2010 - When William Erickson and Eugene Holland allegedly crashed a truck into the Polk Pick-It-Up in Goodrich on November 20, they were placed under arrest and charged with aggravated robbery, but that's only part of the story. The two are now prime suspects in a murder that occurred only a few hours before the incident that transpired in Goodrich. At around 1:15 am Erickson and Holland were allegedly at a motel room in East Houston at the intersection of Nimitz and Normandy (the Normandy Inn). The motel room was being used as a makeshift tattoo parlor. A disagreement allegedly took place between the two men and the parlor owner. An altercation took place and Holland or Erickson allegedly shot the tattoo parlor owner in the neck. There were allegedly four women present in the room when the shooting occurred. The four women fled next door to a gas station and the man died at the scene. The gunmen fled in a getaway car. Witness statements were collected from the women who were brought in for questioning.
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William Edward Erickson, 31, of Houston
Eugene Charles Holland, 20, of Houston
Truck Crashes Into Polk Pick-It-Up in Bizarre Robbery, GOODRICH, November 20, 2010 - Goodrich resident Steden Wyatt pulled in to the Polk County Pick-It-Up service station and store in Goodrich to purchase a cup of coffee. While inside, he looked outside and noticed someone meddling inside his 2004 Chevy Silverado. Wyatt went outside to confront the intruder and was attacked another man. As Wyatt was trying to defend himself from his attacker (Eugene Holland, 20, of Houston), the guy that was in Wyatt's truck (William Erickson, 31 of Houston) tried to run over Wyatt striking him in the leg and crashing the truck through the front glass doors and into the middle of the store. Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene along with Americare Ambulance Service. Wyatt explained what had happened but the Erickson and Holland claimed that Wyatt was trying to rob them. Fortunately there were multiple witnesses at the scene who saw what transpired. Detective Christi Allen with the Polk County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to investigate the incident. Meanwhile, Steden Wyatt was being treated for a broken leg that he suffered when he was hit by his own truck. Eugene Holland and William Erickson were placed under arrest. The ne'er-do-wells were booked into Polk County Jail and charged with aggravated robbery. Wyatt was transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital. Vehicle recovery Specialist Jim Harwood recovered Wyatt's truck and it will be stored at Bounds Autoplex in Livingston.
Surreal: A 2004 Chevy Silverado rests in the middle of Polk Pick-It-Up in Goodrich.
William Erickson (the guy who crashed the truck) decided to try and kick out the doors of Deputy Schanmier's unit and ended up getting pepper sprayed (the kicking ceased).
When William Erickson tried to run over Steden Wyatt, he also hit his own Lincoln Town Car enroute to crashing the store.
Top notch detective: Christi Allen (left) gathers forensic evidence and is assisted by Sergeant Christian Schanmier. A 9 mm automatic pistol was found in the car.
Deputies place crime tape around the scene.
Deputy Schanmier gathers statements from witnesses.
Erickson's vehicle was recoverd by LakeView Towing and will be stored in Livingston.
More surrealness: Harwood wrecker service recovered the truck and it will be stored at Bounds Autoplex in Livingston.
After the truck was removed, workers immediately went to work.
By Saturday evening, the once perfect entrance was boarded up.
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