APD cracks down on crime on East Braker Lane

APD cracking down on East Braker Lane

The Austin Police Department is cracking down at East Braker Lane, which has been a major crime hotspot the past few years

AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department is cracking down on crime on East Braker Lane, which has been a major crime hotspot in the past few years. 

By the numbers:

According to APD, since March 2023, there have been 430 calls for service, 30 guns seized, 10 shot, 78 arrests, and one homicide. 

Nearly half of crime victims are under the age of 27. Most illegal gun arrests are under the age of 21. 

Dig deeper:

"The increase in violence, the increase in community concerns is something that we had to address," Commander J.J. Schmidt with APD said.

They're using a strategy called "place network investigation" to bring down crime. 

"Place network investigations is a city-wide strategy that uses crime science to reduce violence and chronic crime by dismantling the networks that support the place networks," APD Chief Lisa Davis said. 

Police say that the area on Braker Lane is an afterparty location, and people congregate in the parking lot. There's Diablos, a strip club, Michelobos, a bar, and event spaces. 

APD teamed up with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Fire Marshal, code enforcement, and municipal courts to gather intelligence and complete an operation.  

"Assembling this team allowed us to really come up with a plan to attack that," Schimdt said. 

APD spoke about an operation that took place on Sept. 26:

"…Included the execution of a search warrant at Diablos and inspection of Michelobos. Items of evidence were seized during the search warrant, and three arrests were made. Some of the items seized included illegal gaming machines and alcoholic beverages. The investigation is still on-going as a result of the search warrant.    

An inspection of the licensed premises was conducted at Michelobos. Numerous violations were observed, and citations were issued by the Austin Fire Marshal’s Office. Additional alcohol was seized by TABC. "   

"The licensed location was storing their alcohol off the premises, which is a violation of the alcohol beverage code, and the other location obviously does not have a permit. Therefore, they could not have that alcohol there," Chief Ron Swenson of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission said. 

Wilfrido Majera-Medina, 39, was charged with violation of probation and possession of cocaine (warrant out of Florida).

Gisela Morales, 38, and Miguel Ramos, 46, were arrested by TABC for selling illicit beverages.

A nuisance abatement action was filed against the property owners to try to get them to stop operating. 

"We will be continuing to use the legal avenues available to us to collaborate with city departments to try and improve the quality of life for the community and the people who live near the property," said Biance Bentzin, chief prosecutor for the city of Austin. 

What's next:

There are still several hearings that have to happen.

APD says there are four other hotspots they've identified in different sectors they'll try to tackle.