Family members of a Katy Taekwondo instructor heard the victim's screams during an attempted sexual assault and stepped in Monday. They used martial arts and a desire to help to thwart the crime.
Han An owns Yongin Taekwondo Academy at 6800 Fry Road and works there with his sons Simon and Christian and daughter Hannah. They arrived at the academy just before 4 p.m. Monday when they heard screaming coming from Cricket Shop next door.
The Ann family begins support efforts
““When we heard the second scream we instinctively knew something was wrong,” Simon Ang said.
The Ang family sprang into action and rushed to the cell phone store, where they found a man on top of a young female store assistant in the back room, and they separated the suspect from the victim and pushed them into a corner.
“One of the things we hate in this world is people who use others for their own desires and gratification. So when my father, brother and I had him backed into a corner, it took every fiber of my being not to hit this guy. Even though he was a criminal, we couldn't hit him because of what Taekwondo taught us,” says Simon Ang. “Taekwondo taught us defense, not offense.”
According to the Ann family, the young woman was grateful and ran straight to Hannah Ann in tears.
The suspect, 19-year-old Alex Robinson, was identified by the Ang family as having been seen outside Cricket Shop earlier that morning.
Han An was assaulted during the rescue, and according to his son, the suspect twisted his shirt and pushed him into a corner, at which point Robinson attacked An and began biting and scratching him.
The suspect was arrested and charged
When Harris County Sheriff's Office officers arrived on scene, they arrested Robinson and charged him with attempted sexual assault and assaulting Hann.
The community sees the Ann family as heroes, but it's easy to assume that anyone would have stepped up to help.
““I wouldn't say we were heroes,” Simon Ang said, “We acted to save our female employee because anyone in that situation could have acted and prevented what was happening. I hope anyone who is weak can stand up and fight.”
In addition to her taekwondo training, Ang says the sport also teaches her how to manage stress and anxiety while boosting her self-confidence.
““The worst thing anyone can do in a situation like this is to panic and lose their cool,” Simon Ang explains.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez reported the incident on social media on Monday, praising the Ang family for their quick action and for acting as good Samaritans.
“Thank you Yongin Dojo for acting quickly to protect others,” said Sheriff Gonzalez.
