Jun 14, 2021

Newspaper delivery person injured when car stolen; Salina man jailed

Posted Jun 14, 2021 4:23 PM

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post

GYPSUM - An 84-year-old newspaper delivery person was injured early Saturday morning when he was dragged while trying to prevent his vehicle from being stolen in Gypsum.

Robert Rogers had gotten out of his 2000 Subaru Legacy to deliver a newspaper in the 400 block of Maple Street (Kansas Highway 4) at 4:10 a.m. Saturday when a gray 2004 Honda Civic pulled up behind the Legacy, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning.

The driver of the Civic got out and jumped behind the wheel of the Legacy. Rogers attempted to stop the man, who drove off, dragging Rogers for about 20 yards, Soldan said. Rogers suffered road rash, he added.

A Galaxy S20 cellphone belonging to Rogers and valued at $1,000 was still in the vehicle.

Soldan identified the person who drove off in the Legacy as Hassan Williford, 38, of Salina.

<b>Hassan Williford.</b> Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office
Hassan Williford. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office

Williford was later on Saturday arrested for allegedly trying to break into a residence in Morris County, Soldan said. Although the Legacy has yet to be found, the key to it was in Williford's pocket, he added.

The Legacy is described as being blue and having a brush guard on the front and an orange strap holding the hood closed, Soldan said. It was valued at $1,500.

The Civic that was left in Gypsum was reported stolen that same night from an acquaintance of Williford's in Mitchell County, Soldan said.

Williford was booked into the Saline County jail on a requested charge of aggravated robbery, Soldan said. Additional charges may be requested, he added.