Serial aggravated robbery suspect arrested

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The arrest warrant shows Cristian Omar Caceres Avila, 25, admitted to the robberies after he was arrested late Friday Night.

Avila also told police he was used a BB gun during the robberies. He told Police he bought the BB gun at a Walmart from Houston. He told police he lived there and was driving back and forth while he was committing the robberies over three days last week.

In surveillance video given to FOX 7, Avila can be seen entering a Metro PCS store on St. John’s, and pulling a gun out. A sales associate there telling FOX 7 that he held her up before she emptied her cash register. The arrest warrant outlines a robbery at that store on Thursday night.

The night before, APD says, Avila robbed the beauty shop a few doors down as well as a Chinese restaurant.

On Friday night, they say he robbed a Boost Mobile store also in North Austin. FOX 7 was also given surveillance video from that robbery. The suspect can be seen entering the store, pulling out the gun, and having an exchange with a sales associate who empties her register, then the suspect leaves. Immediately after, the sales associate can be seen locking the door and making a call. Police arrive a moments after the call.

The sales associate who asked to remain anonymous says she thought hers was the only store robbed. But she says Police told her they had several other calls for similar robberies. The arrest warrant lists robberies at three other stores in the area on Friday night.

They say in all, he robbed eight businesses in three days.

On Friday, the Austin Police Department circulated photos of Avila, including one where he's wearing a t-shirt with the words "Nope", “Not Today” on it.

Austin Police say they caught Avila after an APD officer working at the Travis County Jail recognized him from the surveillance photo that was circulated. The arrest warrant shows, Avila was wearing the same t-shirt when he was brought to the jail after a routine traffic stop uncovered outstanding warrants. APD says he “was identified through a Honduras Driver’s License as Christian Omar Caceras Avila.”
               
Avila was booked into the Travis County Jail on Friday evening. He is facing twelve charges: 8 for aggravated robbery, 1 for possession of Marijuana, 1 for Traffic Offense (Single), 1 for Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear, 1 for an Immigration and Naturalization Service Detainer.


*UPDATE 11/14* The Austin Police Department has arrested 25-year-old Cristian Caseres in connection with these robberies. Caseres was taken into custody on Friday, November 11, 2016. He is charged with Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon. Bond is set at $50,000. 


The Austin Police Department's Robbery Unit is currently investigating a series of seven Aggravated Robberies of businesses in Austin, summarized as follows:

  • APD Case Number: 16-3141282 11/9/16 at approximately 6:21 pm suspect robbed Yari’s Beauty Salon at 614 E St. Johns at gunpoint.
  • 11/9/16 at approximately 6:21 pm suspect robbed Yari’s Beauty Salon at 614 E St. Johns at gunpoint.
  •  APD Case Number: 16-3141315 11/9/16 at approximately 6:30 pm suspect robbed Thomas Buffet at 9710 N Lamar Blvd at gunpoint.
  • 11/9/16 at approximately 6:30 pm suspect robbed Thomas Buffet at 9710 N Lamar Blvd at gunpoint.
  • APD Case Number: 16-3141368 11/9/16 at approximately 6:38 pm suspect robbed Fujian Grand China Buffet at gunpoint.
  • 11/9/16 at approximately 6:38 pm suspect robbed Fujian Grand China Buffet at gunpoint.
  • APD Case Number: 16-3151372 11/10/16 at approximately 6:37 pm suspect robbed the Metro PCS at 614 E St. Johns at gunpoint.
  • 11/10/16 at approximately 6:37 pm suspect robbed the Metro PCS at 614 E St. Johns at gunpoint.
  • APD Case Number: 16-3161469 11/11/16 at approximately 6:20pm suspect robbed a unidentified business at 9200 N. Lamar Blvd at gunpoint
  • 11/11/16 at approximately 6:20pm suspect robbed a unidentified business at 9200 N. Lamar Blvd at gunpoint
  • APD Case Number: 16-3161543 11/11/16 at approximately 6:54 pm suspect a robbed unidentified business at 9717 N. Lamar Blvd at gunpoint
  • 11/11/16 at approximately 6:54 pm suspect a robbed unidentified business at 9717 N. Lamar Blvd at gunpoint
  • APD Case Number: 16-3161624 11/11/16 at approximately 7:37 pm suspect robbed a unidentified business at 1030 Norwood Park Blvd at gunpoint
  • 11/11/16 at approximately 7:37 pm suspect robbed a unidentified business at 1030 Norwood Park Blvd at gunpoint

The suspect is described as follows:

  • Hispanic male
  • 5’3”-5’7”
  • mid to late 20s
  • medium build
  • short hair, scruffy beard


No vehicle description is available.

No one has been injured during these incidents but suspect is to be considered armed and dangerous. Suspect approaches employees, displays a firearm, and demands cash.

If you recognize the below person please contact the Austin Police Department's Robbery Unit at 512-974-5270  or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS. Suspect is believed to be armed so please DO NOT approach.