Austin officers shoot man believed to be linked to series of robberies

The Austin Police Department is investigating after officers shot down a carjacking and robbery suspect Saturday night.

Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said while officers were investigating a report of a convenience store robbery they found a man matching the suspect's description in a vehicle. Police said they believe the man is tied to a string of robberies that happened in north Austin last week.

"A series involving a bank robbery and two robberies of convenience store that we believe are all linked together and we believe the incident tonight in fact involved the suspect from those incidents," said Manley.

Officers said they began searching the area for a silver Toyota 4runner that they believed to be the suspect's personal car. They found a similar car with a driver matching the suspect description at the Austin Suites Hotel located at 8300 north Interstate 35.

"When an officer pulled into the parking lot of the motel here he identified a person in the back of the parking lot that appeared to resemble the suspect in these incidents," said Manley.

Police said the suspect took out a weapon and the officers opened fire. 

"At which point he (the suspect) recognized that they were coming upon him. And he began to evade them.  Two of the officers immediately observed him produce a firearm they believe from the waistband area," said Manley.

The man was taken to a hospital to undergo surgery.

Officers performed life saving measures, including CPR, at the scene, the chief said. 

"The subject was struck by those rounds and went down. Our officers went in at that point and began performing life saving measures," said Manley. 

The man is listed in stable condition.

APD is currently investigating and have placed the officers involved on administrative leave, which is standard protocol. 

They do not believe this shooting is connected to last week's shooting at the Austin Suites Hotel.