Serial robber in Austin targeting Hispanic men

Police are also looking for a man: who has been posing as a security guard and, robbing people at apartment complexes in North Austin.

“In each of these cases, he's going and approaching Hispanic males in the parking lots of apartment complexes and kind of acting out the role of what a security officer or a police officer might do and asking for ID,” said Sgt. William White with the Austin Police Department Robbery Unit. 

Austin police said a serial robber is striking North Austin complexes late at night wearing a security officer or police officer uniform so that victims are more likely to do what he asks.

“So when the person pulls out their wallet, he proceeds to then rob them at gunpoint,” said White. 

Three cases have already been reported. The first one on May 21 at 11:30pm at the Copper Mill Apartment complex on North Lamar. The second May 25 at 11pm at the Seven Towers complex on McKie Drive. The most recent happened early Monday morning at Avesta Agave Falls apartments on Anderson Lane

“We’ve had several tips on the case that we looked at, but so far none of those have panned out and we're still investigating some of them as well, but we're certainly asking for the public's assistance in this,” said White.

Police said suspects target the Hispanic community for several reasons.

“Here in Austin, since I’ve been a police officer, there will often be robberies targeting Mexican immigrants because they won't want to report, they won't report it, or report it later on,” said White. 

They warn people to look out for clues that the suspect may not actually be an authority figure.

“So his car is described as a newer model, grey four-door sedan. It's possibly a Hyundai. So also be cognizant of that if someone’s not in a marked security car,” White said.

Investigators said the man usually wears sunglasses at night, something most officers won't do.

They hope people will be more cautious so that they don't have any other victims.

“If they're not doing anything wrong and someone’s walking up to them asking for ID, just because they're in a security uniform doesn't mean they have that particular right,” said White. 

Police do say if someone has a weapon it's better not to fight.

“If someone's pointing a gun at you and you have to comply, absolutely your safety should come first,” White said.

Police said the suspect is a black male between 25 and 30 years old. He is between 150 and 165 lbs and 5’ 8” to 6’ tall.

Anyone who is approached by a man matching this description should call 911 and if anyone has any information regarding the robberies they ask you to call Crimestoppers.

Read APD seeking public's assistance in series of aggravated robberies