A man who offered to help a neighbor with car repairs was robbed at gunpoint early Sunday, allegedly by the man he helped.

LaGrange police said the victim volunteered to work on the car of a 26-year-old man who was planning a trip to Texas.

Police said the car owner, later identfied as Ahmaad Eglan, went to the victim’s home in the 100 block of Burr Street and confronted him, becoming irate and accusing him of not doing a good job. After a brief argument, the suspect pulled out a black pistol and fired one shot in the air outside his neighbor’s residence.

He then pointed the gun at the victim’s neck demanding money. The man gave the suspect everything he had, which was $7. Police arrived a short time later, after receiving an anonymous call about the gunshot, and found Eglan and the victim standing outside.

The suspect told police there had been some kids running around the area with a gun and that there was no problem. He also attempted to distract officers from talking to the victim by asking numerous questions. The victim managed to wink at an officer, signalling something was wrong.

The officer then told the victim he had a warrant for his arrest and handcuffed him to pull him away to a patrol car for questioning while whispering that he was not in fact arrested.

The victim was taken to a nearby patrol car where he was informed not to worry and that the officer needed to talk with him away from the suspect.

The man then told the officer what had happened.

Police released the man from handcuffs and obtained consent to search his residence and found the handgun under a couch where the suspect had hidden it after hearing police sirens. The suspect sat on the couch as officers found the gun.

Police said the suspect subsequently admitted to holding the man at gunpoint and robbing him.

Eglan was charged with aggravated assault, armed robbery and possession of a fire arm during the commission of a crime.

Kenneth Thompson can be reached at kethompson@

lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311 Ext. 228.