Liveblogging the standoff

Shortly before 10 p.m., three two robbers held up a Family Dollar store on the city’s east side near the intersection of East Houston and North New Braunfels. Police picked up one of the culprits as they arrived, while the other two reportedly went back inside. Police have cordoned off the area and it seems as though they’re waiting it out.

10:54 p.m. I just arrived at the standoff about five minutes ago and had to explain myself to SAPD. Now, I’m in the back of the live truck with photog Adam and reporter Jennifer. It seems as though every cop from this side of town is at the scene and I can hear at least one helicopter circling the skies. SWAT just arrived.

10:55 p.m. We’re at the corner of St. James and E. Houston. Still not a whole lot going on, but there are a pair of cats hanging around our live truck.

11:04 p.m. A SWAT truck is advancing toward the front of the store. There are apparently no regular officers on scene, just TRU.

11:11 p.m. A negotiator is speaking to the robbers. “We will not hurt you. We do not want to harm you. Come out with your hands in the air, you will not be able to escape.”

11:15 p.m. Police are still talking to the people supposedly inside. We are hearing reports that there might not be any customers or staff inside, only the suspects.

11:28 p.m: Just spoke with SAPD spokesman Ofc. Joe Rios about the situation. Apparently, TRU was performing heavy patrols in the area, so police responded in about 30-45 seconds.

11:32 p.m.: Suspect surrenders himself at the back door of the business. Rios said he was arrested without incident. Suspect’s initials are R.J. Suspect tells police he had no weapon and that it was only a toy. He tells police he threw it inside the store. All he tells reporters is that somebody is going to harm his family. He does not expand on that. Both suspects will be charged with one count of aggravated robbery, Rios said. There were 35 to 40 units on scene including East Patrol and TRU. Apologies for the delay, my computer died.

1:35 a.m.: The link below is an audio file from a phone call I made as police were arresting the robber.

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1:47 a.m.:

This is video from my cell phone of a robber who held police at bay for almost two hours on March 20, 2008.
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