AUSTIN, Texas — Two men have pleaded guilty for charges related to a robbery of a gas station convenience store in October 2020.
At the time of the robbery, police said three suspects entered the Shell gas station at 31 N. Interstate 35 around 11 p.m. on Oct. 7 and held the clerk at gunpoint. During the robbery, the clerk was shot, police said.
The first suspect wore a black face mask, a light gray Nike Jordan hoodie, gray pants and black Jordan shoes with white trim. The suspect was carrying a black semi-automatic firearm. The second suspect wore a red bandana over his face, a black hoodie, black pants with white writing all over them and black socks with black slides. The third suspect wore a dark-colored bandana over his face, a gray zip-up hoodie, black over-sized shorts and gray socks with white Nike slides.
Suspects two and three were identified by police in 2020. Officials offered a $1,000 reward and Shell offered $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of suspect No. 1.
Officials said Deon Ross, 36, along with co-defendant Lavante Carter, 19, of Austin, pleaded guilty to charges regarding the robbery. On Oct. 21, 2021, Ross pled guilty to one count of interference with commerce by threats or violence and one count of discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. On Oct. 19, 2021, Carter pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by threats or violence and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Ross and Carter are both scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 21, 2021. Ross faces up to 20 years in prison on the robbery charge and 10 years to life for the firearm charge, and Carter faces up to 20 years in prison on the robbery charge and seven years to life for the firearm charge.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the APD Robbery tip line at 512-974-5092 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 512-472-TIPS or using the new Crime Stoppers app.
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