MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A South Memphis man is behind bars after police said he beat a man who foiled his robbery plot.
The attack reportedly happened in July, but law enforcement arrested Darnell Dantzler Monday. He was charged with aggravated robbery.
No one WREG spoke with near the Roma Mart at Mallory and Lauderdale knew anything about it.
“No, I really don’t know,” said Dantzler’s uncle, who did not know his nephew was accused of brutally beating a man outside a convenience store.
Police said Dantzler was trying to break into a van at an auto shop next to the Roma Mart.
A man saw him and warned the auto shop’s owner.
The owner chased Dantzler away.
However, shortly after, police said Dantzler came back and beat the tipster with a stick, saying, “Why did you tell them I was messing with that van?”
The man needed 25 to 30 stitches. Dantzler also allegedly stole the victim’s duffel bag, with car washing equipment and hygiene items.
“I know him. Everybody know him around here,” said neighborhood resident Billy T.
“He’s a pretty good guy,” said William Sholer, who also knows the victim.
Someone in the neighborhood said the man who tried to stop the robbery is homeless.
A clerk at Roma Mart said the man is a customer.
We tried to find him Tuesday and found out he is locked up.
Police said he is Curley Liggins. He is facing a charge for violating parole.
It is unclear if he is at risk of running into Dantzler behind bars.