http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2005/ ... attack.txt

Woman Attacked In Wal-mart Lot

By Don Dailey
The Morning News

ROGERS -- A woman was punched in the face and her wallet was stolen Wednesday in a Wal-Mart parking lot in an attack similar to 10 other recent muggings.

Laura Kibler was getting into her vehicle after shopping at Wal-Mart at 2110 W. Walnut St. about 7:30 p.m. when two men she described as Hispanic approached her, according to Cpl. Kelley Cradduck, spokesman for the Rogers Police Department.

One of the men demanded she hand over her money and Kibler refused. One of the men hit her, and the assailants took her wallet and groceries and ran away, Cradduck said.

The woman was slightly injured, Cradduck said.


The attack was similar to 10 others since Aug. 30 when an individual was approached by two or more Hispanic men who used violence to rob the person.

Most of those robbed have also been Hispanic, and police believe the victims in the incidents have been reluctant to contact police because they are afraid authorities will delve into their immigration status.

Rogers Police Chief Steve Helms plans to place public service announcements in local Spanish language media in attempt to assure crime victims or witnesses police are interested only in information about the crimes and will not ask about immigration status.

Anyone with information about these crimes can call the Police Department's