AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department (APD) is asking for the public's help in identifying three men believed to be involved in a string of robberies and aggravated assaults on New Year's Eve.
At 1:03 a.m., APD said the suspects threatened store clerks at gunpoint at the Whataburger along the North Interstate 35 northbound service road, then threated the store clerk at the La Buena Market on North Lamar Boulevard at around 10:30 a.m.
The men then fled the scene in a black Honda Civic with cash, cigarettes and other unpaid merchandise. After leaving the second robbery scene, police said the men fired at another vehicle driving on the North I-35 southbound service road.
APD described the men as Spanish speakers.
The first suspect is described as a man, approximately 25 to 35 years old; approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall; and around 200 pounds. The man was armed with a two-tone, black and tan semiautomatic pistol and was last seen wearing blue jeans, work boots, a yellow Clyde Johnson Roofing work vest, an orange shirt and an F-35 logo baseball cap.
The second suspect is described as approximately the same age and height as the first suspect but around 160 pounds. The man was armed with a black shotgun and was last seen wearing blue jeans, work boots and a burnt orange hooded sweatshirt with white shoulders.
The third suspect is described as a man, approximately 22 to 25 years old; approximately 5 feet, 6 inches tall; and possibly around 150 pounds. He was armed with a black semiautomatic rifle and was last seen wearing gray pants, a black jacket and gray shoes.
The vehicle the suspects allegedly fled the scene in is described as a four-door black Honda Civic with matching rims and tinted windows. It is an older model and possibly has a license plate from Nevada or North Dakota.
Anyone with any information about this series of crimes is asked to contact APD's Robbery Unit at 512-974-5092. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers online or by calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for information that leads to an arrest.