KHOU - TV

A reward of up to $55,000 is being offered for the assault of a Home Depot employee and robbery.

It happened after a van pulled into a store in the 6800 block of Fry Road in Katy Monday night at 9:30.

Investigators say the victim, Donald Thomas, 56, walked over to a group of men inside a van to help them.

That's when, police say, Thomas noticed the men were attempting to steal pallets from the rear of the store. Thomas reported tried to stop the men and that's when they ran over him.

Thomas is in critical condition at a local hospital.

“He’s on a respirator that’s breathing for him. He’s been put in a, medically put in a coma to rest his body,” said Nanette Thomas. She's Donald Thomas' wife. “I don’t understand the cruelty. It’s not he was going to stop a car single handedly.”

Thomas is an Air Force veteran of Vietnam and the Gulf War. His wife, Nanette, says her husband is a true survivor. "He’s actually coded four times. His heart has stopped beating. He’s not going to let it go. He’s a fighter and prayer is the reason he’s back here. If everybody would just keep praying with me, then my husband will be alright.”

The suspects’ van is described as a white, 1990s model, box-type van.

On Friday, Home Depot announced it is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at (281) 342-8477.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrests and charges of the suspects involved.