Teens arrested in immigrant robberies

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police have arrested two teens they said have been targeting immigrants during their robberies.

Carlos Lugo walked out his front door at about 6 a.m. on Tuesday and suddenly had a gun pointed to his head.

"[The robber] asked me for my wallet," said Lugo. "'Where's your wallet? Give me your wallet. Give me your wallet.'"

Lugo handed over his wallet with a license, green card and $15 in cash.

Police said Lugo's home off Loyola Lane, just east of Highway 183, was the first of five stops the alleged robbers hit. Police said Gerrell Earls,17, and a 16-year-old accomplice moved northwest from there, hitting a home nearby about 10 minutes later.

Then, two other victims were robbed in the parking lot of their apartments just west of 183 near Highway 290 within 30 minutes of each other.

Angel Quintanilla felt a pistol pushed against his head and said Earls and the teens allegedly threatened to kill him.

Police were able to pull a list of possible suspects to some previous robberies. When they questioned the suspects, they felt they had apprehended the right people.

"We were able to find property that was taken in one of the robberies on the subjects," said Sergeant Katrina Pruitt.

Earls has been charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, a first-degree felony. The juvenile has also been arrested and charged with theft.