$120K bond for suspect in violent robberies at Houston auto shops

HOUSTON — A judge has established bond for the male accused of robbing two automobile stores in north Houston.

Andrew Garza, 20, was arrested on Thursday, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. He’s thought to be the gentleman observed on digital camera pistol-whipping staff from both firms and robbing a single of them.

Linked: ‘We got away with our life’ | Victims in violent car shop theft grateful suspect was arrested

Garza appeared in court docket for a possible lead to listening to at around 10 p.m. Thursday night. 

The decide set his bond at $120,000 for two fees of aggravated theft with a fatal weapon.

Paperwork attained by KHOU 11 show that a different robbery demand was filed versus Garza on Friday. The bond for that case has not been established.

The decide also reported Garza was by now out of jail on bond when the robberies took place.

His future court date is scheduled for Monday, April 11.

Observe: The next films were uploaded on Thursday, April 7

Similar: Suspect pistol whips staff through violent robberies at two Houston organizations

Authorities reported Garza posed as a purchaser on March 29 at EntireX Tire and Wheel in northeast Houston asking about acquiring new tires on his truck.

That’s when they said he attacked just one of the store’s clerks and place a gun to her head.

The robbery lasted a few minutes, and the attacker reportedly got away with $2,000, phones, and other products. He was found receiving into a white Ford truck with blacked-out windows and two other guys ready inside of.

The victims ended up keep proprietor Myke Hastings’ brother and spouse. He found out what occurred when he was working on autos out in the garage.

“My spouse doesn’t want to come in any longer,” Hastings explained. “That is a further factor, worker or household, it does not make a difference. This is not a place they attribute to basic safety any more.”

Hastings reported his staff now congregate in bigger quantities in the store, and at any time a possible client suspiciously backs into the parking ton, he is on warn.

“Even three or four seconds is plenty of time to react to conserve your daily life or help save you from being the following target,” Hastings reported.

In accordance to court docket paperwork, Andrew Garza was caught right after an anonymous suggestion. Following his arrest was declared, Hastings expressed relief.

“Eights times is a hell of a turnaround time, specifically with what they’re likely through, so we’re very grateful for the peace of thoughts they have been capable to give us, mainly because up until finally that cell phone connect with, we had been anxious,” he reported.

Hastings’ company was not the only a single focused.

Throughout the freeway, just 5 minutes right before the assault on March 29, the exact same male was caught on surveillance online video at Exceptional DTS, a car or truck accessories store.

He is found walking all over the shop in advance of leaving in the white Ford truck witnessed at Hastings’ shop.

Monday morning, Exclusive DTS owner Luis Sanchez reported the similar gentleman showed up all over again, but this time the only other individual in the store was a lady doing work driving the desk.

“He hit Angie. She’s our secretary. She’s our entrance desk. She’s bleeding, and her fingers are damaged,” Sanchez mentioned.

She was taken to a healthcare facility and experienced to get staples in her head from her accidents.

“He got away with $2,000. We obtained absent with our existence,” stated Hastings.

“What we have obtained via a good deal of this is a ton of psychological awareness,” he explained. “We just take much better safeguards, we have better policy, we have superior protection actions on-web page, and we’re all staying hypervigilant and in excess of informed.”