Drug deal turns into robbery, police say

A Little Rock man's attempt to buy drugs turned into a robbery when the would-be seller instead struck him with a gun and drove off in his car, authorities said.

The stolen Mitsubishi Galant was recovered nearby a short time later, but the man accused of taking it wasn't located, police said.

Edgar Rodriguez, who is described in the report only as being in his 30s, told investigators he was parked at 6800 Colonel Glenn Road shortly before 9 p.m. when a man approached and asked if he wanted to buy drugs, according to a Little Rock Police Department report.

"[Rodriguez] advised the subject that he did and the suspect jumped into the passenger seat," police wrote.

But once inside the car, the man pointed a handgun at Rodriguez and then hit him in the forehead with it, the report said. Rodriguez jumped out of the car. The gunman then took off in the vehicle and was followed from the lot by a Honda Civic that had also been in the area, police said.

Officers responded to the area and, while speaking with Rodriguez, a friend arrived and told him his Galant was parked about a quarter-mile away at 3510 S. Bryant St. It was recovered there, but no one was around and investigators weren't able to find any fingerprints.

Rodriguez declined medical attention for a cut on his forehead from where he was struck with the gun.

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