The search that began in Robstown ended in Duval County just before 2 p.m. Wednesday, as deputies closed in on a suspect vehicle linked to the robbery.
ROBSTOWN, Texas — A man wanted in an alleged aggravated robbery at a Robstown convenience store is in custody after being pulled over in Duval County.
The search that began in Robstown ended in Duval County just before 2 p.m. Wednesday, as deputies closed in on a suspect vehicle linked to the robbery, authorities said. The driver pulled over, and the suspect, said to be from Laredo, was taken into custody without resisting.
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Investigators say the case started miles away at the Matiana Corner Store in Robstown. Robstown Police Chief Mike Tamez said a 911 caller driving by reported seeing two men striking the victim and called police. Officers arriving on scene found the man with multiple head injuries.
“When he did get out of the vehicle is when the assault took place,” Tamez said. “Two men with ski masks, one with a rifle, one with a shotgun, encountered him, struck him in the head, dropped him on the ground, struck him a few more times and stole the currency from him.”
Duval County Capt. of Patrol Lucas Wallek said his agency was alerted after the suspect vehicle was flagged by license plate readers.
“After that we got contacted from Alice PD that the suspect vehicle hit their license plate readers coming from San Diego,” Wallek said. “As soon as it came out over the radio, I met that vehicle, waited til we got to a safe area and conducted that traffic stop.”
Police say the victim is a contractor who does work with the business and often carries large amounts of cash, leading investigators to believe he may have been specifically targeted. Investigators say store surveillance video helped them identify the suspect vehicle, and even though the suspects tried to cover part of the license plate, police say they were still able to track it down.
Tamez credited the Flock license plate readers and quick work by multiple agencies in the arrest.
This is a developing story. 3News will provide updates if additional arrests are made.
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