Woman demands charges against workers and claims she was attacked after she found $50 on the ground

Austin County, Texas. A woman calls for accountability after she said she was attacked at an Austin County grocery store after she found $50 on the ground.

Betty Smith, 65, said she found the money on the ground on Jan. 15 while shopping at the Lindemann grocery store in Industry, Texas.

“I said, ‘Look, my lucky day,'” Smith said.

The store has been downtown since the 1880s, and Smith has been a regular customer. But she said she would not return.

On Monday, Smith, community activist Quanell X and others directed their complaints to the Austin County Courthouse in Bellville, about 15 miles from where the incident took place. They want three former employees to be charged with assaulting a grandmother who is also battling cancer.

“They just jumped on me and choked me,” Smith said. “She kept spitting in my face… I was too scared to spit in her face.”

Smith said three employees prevented her from leaving the store after she found the money. They locked the door, and judging by the security video, after Smith gestured towards the employee, everything changed. Smith’s supporters said the video made it clear who was wrong.

“We demand that the district attorney step away from you and do your job. What more proof do you need?” Quanell X said. “This county needs to stand up and do what’s right.”

According to reports, Smith’s daughter was arrested after she showed up and allegedly attacked one of the employees.

The district attorney’s office said it was reviewing reports, statements and video footage of the incident in question.

The store said it fired employees immediately, although they were not charged with a crime.

Smith said the store offered to leave her $50 and also help with bail money, but she refused. She said she was also considering a civil suit.

“The Austin County District Attorney’s Office received trespass reports, witness statements, and extensive video evidence from the Austin County Sheriff’s Office investigation into the January 16, 2023 Lindemann store incident.

“The District Attorney’s Office is carefully looking into this matter, as are all law enforcement investigations.

“This remains an ongoing investigation. The Office will continue to seek and consider any additional evidence that may be relevant to arraignment decisions in this incident.

“When this case is completed, the Austin County District Attorney’s Office will issue a press release to notify the public of the results.”