SACRAMENTO–
The man who put a gun to a woman’s head in a foiled ATM robbery says the drugs made him do it.
18-year-old Joshua Reed, Jr. told FOX40 News in a jailhouse interview that he never meant to harm anybody and was using the gun to make it easier to get drug money.
Reed was beaten by the victim’s boyfriend, who knocked the gun away. Reed ran off and later called police to his Natomas home saying his gun was stolen during a home invasion robbery.
Police saw through his ploy because the ATM robbery attempt was being investigated at the same time.
The woman who he tried to rob wanted to be referred to as “Lisa” because she fears the suspect. She says the robber had a lot of nerve calling the police.
“He could have killed me in front of my kids, in front of my boyfriend and he’s the victim? That angered [me],” said Lisa.
Lisa is still shaken four days after the incident. She’s concerned about her two young sons who were in the car during the robbery attempt and saw Reed point the gun at her head.
“I’m sorry … you don’t have to forgive me, but I wasn’t in my right mind,” said Reed when asked if he had anything to say to Lisa and referring to his addiction to prescription drugs.
He said he never would have attempted the robbery if it weren’t for his addiction to prescription drugs.
Reed wore an arm sling, the result of his beating at the hands of Lisa’s boyfriend.
“I didn’t expect it but I got what I deserved. It couldn’t happen to a nicer person, if you know what i mean,” said Reed.
He buried his head in his hands during the interview, showing the physical effects of drug withdrawal while in jail and the burden of the punishment that lies ahead.
Reed said he hopes to get help for his addiction and realizes that it’s gotten him into big trouble.
“I’m 18 years old and now I’m looking at some serious time,” said Reed.