Austin Police Arrest Suspect in Aggravated Robbery and Narcotics Offenses

On Monday, January 1, 2024, Austin Police Department (APD) Officers responded to a robbery in the 2000 block of East William Cannon Drive. The victim, who had been threatened, surrendered her car keys to a suspect waiting at the scene. The suspect fled with the stolen car.

Later that day, Hays County Deputies located the stolen car in Kyle, Texas. On January 2, members of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Special Services Division (SSD) identified the suspect in an attempted robbery in the same area. Collaborating with the APD Robbery Unit, they connected the suspect to both the robbery and a narcotics-related investigation.

On January 4, 2024, a joint operation involving the Hays County SWAT team, HCSO SSD unit, HCSO Central Investigations Division, APD Robbery Unit, and local police departments executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence. Jose Alexander Cruz, a 20-year-old, was safely taken into custody and charged with multiple felonies, including Aggravated Robbery and Manufacturing/Delivery of a controlled substance.

The charges against Cruz include:

1. Manufacturing/Delivery of a controlled substance (3 charges)
2. Manufacturing/Delivery of a controlled substance causing death or serious bodily injury
3. Aggravated Robbery
4. Robbery
5. Possession of a controlled substance

Evidence from both robberies and narcotics suspected to contain Fentanyl were found inside the residence. Cruz has been booked into Hays County Jail and remains in custody.

Authorities encourage anyone with information to contact the APD Robbery tip line at (512) 974-5092 or Capitol Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at austincrimestoppers.org.