By Moses Leos III.
Following an early Christmas morning heist in Kyle, several suspects are still at large. They are wanted for armed robbery at the 7-11 store at the corner of FM 150 East and the IH-35 frontage road. Kyle Police are asking for the public’s help in catching two, possibly three, men.
These stills from the Kyle 7-11 surveillance camera show two culprits committing an armed robbery on Christmas morning, though there may be a third suspect as well. No one was injured during the robbery. | |
According to Kyle Police Department (KPD) Chief Jeff Barnett, at approximately 2:23 a.m., two men entered the 7-11 and robbed the store at gunpoint.
Police said both suspects were described as light skinned black or Hispanic men, who stood between 5’5” and 5’8” and weighed 150 to 160 lbs. each.
The employee on duty, who was in the back cooler stocking drinks, was approached by one of the suspects who had a semi-automatic handgun. According to police reports, the gunman demanded the clerk to open the cash register and give him the money. The employee complied.
Approximately $100, along with tobacco product and accessories was stolen. No other customers were in the store, and the employee was uninjured in the heist.
Barnett said the employee contacted police immediately following the robbery and told officers that the robbers both ran in an “unknown direction” when they exited the store.
When KPD arrived on scene, Barnett said a citizen approached the officers, saying they observed three men fleeing toward an open field behind the 7-11. They were headed toward a tree line that separates the open field from the Trails Subdivision.
Barnett said police cannot confirm if there was a third suspect, as there was no outdoor surveillance cameras.
Responding officers then set up a perimeter in the area; they also requested assistance from the San Marcos K-9 Unit and Travis County STARFlight helicopter.
The suspects fled the scene and remain at large.
According to the employee, one suspect was a light skinned black male, who wore a grey hoodie and black pants. He also carried the weapon. The second suspect was a darker skinned black male, who the employee said wore a black shirt and hoodie. The employee told police both robbers wore black ski masks.
Upon reviewing the store’s surveillance tape, police saw one suspect donning a long sleeved black shirt, black pants and a ski mask. That suspect held the firearm.
The second suspect wore a black Nike brand long sleeved shirt, dark pants, black gloves and a red shirt that covered his face. He held a blue bag, possibly a pillowcase. Both suspects wore Converse Chuck Taylor tennis shoes.
Barnett says KPD does its best to keep tabs on businesses overnight, but encourages citizens to be proactive about addressing suspicious activity.
“We try to keep an eye on nighttime businesses, especially those that are open 24 hours [a day],” he said. “We ask employees or civilians to call us if they see anything suspicious, or if someone is loitering around a business.”
KPD asks anyone who may have information about this incident to call (512) 268-3232. All tips are confidential.
