Fresno police ID man in on-camera attack, robbery

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A woman was attacked outside a convenience store and robbed, police said. The victim says the suspect spotted her and watched her as she drove up to the store, then waited for her.

Fresno Police are looking for 23-year-old Aaron Henry, identified after surveillance photos were broadcast on television.

The confrontation lasts just a few seconds. Police say Henry is seen knocking the victim to the ground and ripping her wallet from her hands.

"As soon as I saw him, he jumped around from the door and just jumped on me," said the victim, Heather Avalos.

Monday morning, around 10:00, she went to discount cigarettes on north Cedar Avenue in Central Fresno. Avalos says Henry watched her as she drove in, even staring at her while she parked.

"I think right then is when he targeted me," Avalos said.

Police say Henry was seen in surveillance video standing near the store's door waiting for Avalos. She was inside getting a money order for several hundred dollars, to pay her rent.

Avalos says that's why she clung to her wallet, fighting for her hard-earned money, when she was attacked. Her knee is still scrapped up from being shoved down on the sidewalk.

"You always think that you're prepared or 'Oh, I would do this or that.' but none of that ever comes into play when it actually happens to you," she said.

"If this happens, just let it go, let the wallet go," said Fresno Police Sergeant Mark Hudson. "Be a good witness. Get a good description. And in this case she was."

Avalos says she's angry about the attack, but knows this could have been a lot worse. "It's hard when you take a hit like that," she said. "My thing, I think, I want him to get help."

Avalos says since her money order still had the receipt attached when it was stolen she likely won't get her money back from the company that issued it.

Anyone with information about Arron Henry is asked to call police.