Cases: 24-3291541, 24-3300435, 24-3300453, 24-3300451,
24-3300781
Dates: November 24, 2024 – November 25, 2024
Suspect (Arrested): Alexander Sanabria, Hispanic male, 37 years of age
The Austin Police Department (APD) Aggravated Assault and Robbery Units have made an arrest in a series of Violent Crimes that began on November 24, 2024 and extended through November 25, 2024. The series involved a suspect targeting multiple gas stations throughout the city.
On November 24, 2024, at approximately 11:17 p.m., APD officers responded to a Gun Hotshot call at the All Star gas station located at 5303 Nuckols Crossing Road. The call text stated that there was a subject firing multiple rounds into the store. When officers arrived on the scene, they found multiple victims standing outside of the store, none of which were injured. Officers watched video footage, which showed a male entering the store, drawing a gun from inside of his jacket, firing multiple shots, and leaving the scene. The case was assigned to an Aggravated Assault detective, and an investigation began.
On November 25, 2024, at approximately 9:23 a.m., APD officers responded to a Gun Hotshot call at the Chevron gas station located at 1800 Scofield Ridge Parkway. The clerk reported to officers that a male entered the Bread Basket convenience store and requested a pump to be opened up. After the clerk informed the suspect that he needed to pay prior to the pump being activated, the suspect demanded money from the register. The clerk told the suspect to leave the store, and the suspect stole a case of beer on the way out. The clerk yelled at the suspect telling him that he was a thief and told him to “stop”. The suspect walked back into the store, and produced a firearm from his jacket pocket while demanding the clerk turn on the gas pump. He then fired one shot in the direction of the ceiling, and fled in a white Chevrolet Cruz with an incorrect license plate displayed.
One of the witnesses on scene was another employee at the location and happened to be a social media associate of the suspect. He identified the suspect as “Alex” to detectives, and provided APD with the suspect’s social media handles. The convenience store provided quality surveillance depicting the physical features and clothing of the suspect.
While officers were on scene at the Chevron, minutes later, at approximately 9:38 a.m., APD officers responded to a Robbery Urgent call at the Wells Branch Food Mart located at 3505 West Wells Branch Parkway. The clerk reported to officers that a suspect entered the convenience store and requested a pump to be opened up. The clerk informed the suspect that he needed to submit payment first, but the suspect stated that he did not care and demanded that the clerk turn on the pump. The suspect was grabbing at his waistline, where the clerk could see what appeared to be the outline of a weapon. The suspect demanded he turn on the pump again, and made demands to give him money from the register. The suspect said, “Turn it on, you don’t want to get this,” while grasping the item the victim believed to be a weapon. The clerk complied and turned on the pump. The suspect obtained stolen gasoline and fled the scene in the same vehicle observed on the first robbery. Surveillance was provided and it was confirmed that the suspect was the same person from the first location.
While officers were on the scene gathering facts, another robbery was reported. At approximately 9:40 a.m., APD officers responded to a Robbery Urgent call at the 7/11 gas station located at 10800 Research Boulevard SVRD SB. The employees told detectives that the suspect entered the store saying, “I’m going to need your money.” Employees had no reason to believe the suspect was being serious, so the suspect proceeded to lift up his shirt and display a handgun tucked into his waistband. The suspect then grabbed cash from the register and left the scene in what appeared to be the same vehicle as the other robberies.
By this time, which was approximately 20 minutes after the first robbery occurred, detectives had been contacted and began conducting research into the identity of the suspect. Based off of his social media username provided by the witness at the first robbery, the name Alexander Sanabria was searched in the APD reporting database and in the driver’s license databases. Sanabria was positively identified by comparing photos obtained through various reporting databases, social media, and the surveillance footage at the robbery locations. Furthermore, Sanabria was also linked to a white Chevy Cruz vehicle, which was the vehicle caught on surveillance.
Later the same day, at approximately 1:25 p.m., APD officers responded to a Gun Hotshot call at the QuikTrip gas station located at 6111 FM 969. The clerk told officers that the suspect entered the store and began demanding money from the clerk. Another employee in the back walked up and asked the suspect what he needed. The suspect responded by firing his handgun into the ceiling, saying “I want all the money.” The suspect went behind the counter and got the money from the cash register, and proceeded to point the firearm at the other employees present. He approached another employee near a register and told her, “Give me the money or I will shoot you in the face.” The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash in a white Chevrolet Cruz.
Surrounding agencies were alerted to the suspect with the vehicle description and physical description of Sanabria. While working the robbery cases, detectives quickly discovered that Sanabria was stealing plates and switching them out on his Chevrolet Cruz in an effort to thwart officers looking for him.
At approximately 3:48 p.m., officers with Pflugerville Police Department, Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Public Safety, and Round Rock Police Department located the Chevy Cruz, occupied by Sanabria. They engaged in multiple vehicle pursuits at high rates of speed. The vehicle eventually crashed and the sole occupant was Alexander Sanabria. Sanabria was wearing the same shoes he wore during the robberies, and the hoodie and Beatles t-shirt worn were located in the vehicle.
Based upon a probable cause search of the vehicle, officers located a black handgun with a silver slide, which was described by victims and witnesses and observed on surveillance footage at the robbery locations. Sanabria was treated at the hospital for the facial injuries sustained during the crash and released to jail later on the night of November 25, 2024. He has been booked on numerous charges and the cases are all still under investigation. No further information will be released at this time.
The Austin Police Department would like to thank all the surrounding agencies that assisted in locating this offender and put their lives at risk to actively pursue him. Sanabria was a clear and present danger to the community and himself. Without the good communication between officers and detectives, he would not have been apprehended.
