Austin, Texas — Three suspects are now in custody after a string of armed robberies in downtown Austin last month that left an Army service member seriously hurt.
Police say the robberies happened around 2:25 a.m. on September 13 in the 500 block of East Sixth Street. Officers say a teenager took a gold necklace from a woman walking in the area, then pointed a handgun at her when she tried to get it back. A friend of the teenager threatened to shoot her.
According to police, the teenager ran toward Sabine Street where a second teenager and Alijah Rodriguez waited in a vehicle. As the first teenager approached the vehicle, he came across three active-duty Army service members and robbed them at gunpoint for their jewelry.
Police say the second teenager grabbed a Draco-style rifle and joined the first teenager in the robbery. The teenagers threatened the Army service members with firearms, took items from one of their wallets and then the first teenager shot one of the service members in the face, causing serious injuries.
The suspects left the area as officers, emergency medical crews and firefighters responded to help the wounded service member. He survived and was later released from the hospital.
Investigators with the Austin Police Department’s Robbery Unit and Violent Crimes Task Force identified the suspects as Rodriguez and two teenagers. Police say the teenagers were already known to officers for multiple aggravated robberies, aggravated assaults and other firearm offenses.
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On September 22, the Violent Crimes Task Force and SWAT officers arrested all three suspects during tactical operations.
Special Agents from the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Central Texas Field Office helped with the case because the victims included active-duty Army service members.