The office of District Attorney Micheal Murray issued the following press release Monday afternoon:

District Attorney Micheal Murray reported that on Monday, Aug. 6, 2021 Joseph Hardman, 61, was convicted in Brown County of Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Kidnapping, and was sentenced to 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Hardman was convicted of robbing a convenience store in Brownwood and taking an employee hostage as he fled the scene. Officer Colby Adams with the Brownwood Police Department chased Hardman to a field several blocks away, rescuing the employee and catching up to Hardman. Officers Brandon Johnson, Jonathan Vallejo, and Justin Taylor assisted Officer Adams in arresting Hardman.

Hardman pled guilty on Monday, a week before his case was set for jury trial. Hardman admitted to two prior offenses and was sentenced as a habitual felony offender. Due to Hardman’s age, the sentence is likely to result in the defendant spending the rest of his life behind bars.