A downtown El Paso shop owner briefly managed to lock a man inside his business after the visitor allegedly assaulted him and demanded cash, but the suspect slipped out before officers arrived. Investigators later identified the man and took him into custody after working the case. The confrontation unfolded in the city's Segundo Barrio and remains under investigation by El Paso police.
Owner locks suspect, suspect still escapes
El Paso police say officers were dispatched on May 6 to a robbery in progress at a business in the 900 block of S. Stanton, where a man walked into the store, assaulted the owner and demanded money. According to KFOX, the owner was able to break free and temporarily lock the suspect inside. By the time officers reached the scene, though, the man was already gone, and investigators later determined that cash and the owner's wallet had been taken.
Police respond to reported barricade at phone shop
Local crews reported that the same subject had barricaded himself inside Levcomm International, a phone retailer near the Paso del Norte port of entry, and officers initially warned the public because a weapon was involved. KVIA reported that the man had actually left the scene before a tactical team arrived and that no severe injuries were reported.
Arrest follows investigation
After investigating, officers identified the suspect as 57-year-old Rodolfo Madrid Torres. Officials said he was arrested Tuesday and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on an aggravated robbery charge, as reported by KFOX.
What the charge means
Under Texas law, aggravated robbery is charged when a person commits robbery and either causes serious bodily injury or uses or exhibits a deadly weapon. Those elements are set out in Texas Penal Code §29.03, outlined in the Texas Penal Code. An aggravated-robbery conviction is a first-degree felony under state law, and the punishment range for first-degree felonies is listed in §12.32 of the Texas Penal Code.
How to help
Investigators say the probe is ongoing and are asking anyone with information to contact police or submit a tip. The El Paso Police Department posts non-emergency reporting guidance on its site, and Crime Stoppers of El Paso accepts anonymous tips by phone or web; see the El Paso Police reporting page and Crime Stoppers for details.
