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, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.
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.
Officers arrested Williford later on Saturday for allegedly trying to break into a residence in Morris County, according to Soldan. Although the Legacy has yet to be found, the key to it was in Williford's pocket.
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.
Williford was booked into the Saline County jail on a requested charge of aggravated robbery, according to Soldan. Additional charges may be requested, he added.