Suspect killed in Austin officer-involved shooting wanted in San Marcos

The suspect killed during a shootout with an Austin Police officer last weekend, was also wanted out of San Marcos. We learned he was connected to several thefts and car burglaries in that city.

From San Marcos, to Austin - Darrin Martin was the suspect behind several crimes, including a rash of car burglaries.

"Down that way I saw a car, like the glass was all shattered and stuff like that. I just try and park under a street light most of the time," says Kelsey Moringy, Texas State student.

It was Sunday when Martin died in an exchange of gunfire with an Austin Police officer.
This was after a concierge reportedly caught him burglarizing vehicles in the downtown area.
APD says they found keys in Martin's possession that belonged to a vehicle reported stolen in San Marcos on Saturday.

"We have a really good working relationship with area law enforcement. They reached out to us late afternoon and realized okay, our guy is probably going to be your guy," says Commander Kelly Earnest, San Marcos Police Dept.

San Marcos Police had released still images on social media on Monday, saying they were looking for the suspect accused of stealing credit cards from vehicles.
He was also suspected of being connected to about 30 car burglaries since the middle of February.
APD was able to identify Martin in the photos.

"We have a lot of apartment complexes in San Marcos that are largely occupied by students. I guess they feel relatively safe and they'll leave their car keys in their vehicle, providing pretty easy access to burglars," says Earnest.  

They believe Martin was commuting in from San Antonio to burglarize.
Kelsey Moringy says her apartment complex had sent out a letter recently warning residents to be extra cautious.

"It's scary," says Moringy.

She can't believe the suspect from the officer-involved shooting in Austin could have been so close to her home.

"It just hurts my heart that such a negative man was you know, just out there doing whatever he felt like," says Moringy.

The San Marcos Police Department is urging residents to take their keys out of their cars and not leave any items on display.