Suspects accused of using hatchet in robberies

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police have arrested two suspects accused of four different aggravated robberies during the last week in January, but they are still looking for a third suspect.

Detectives said the group terrorized their victims with handguns and a hatchet as they demanded money and in one case, forced a victim to drive to an ATM for cash.

"Once they completed that, they took the victim back to where the victim lived and then proceeded to take more items from the victims residence," said Sgt. Jonathan Herring. "These suspects were very dangerous in their actions, obviously in their actions with the weapons and the threats that were made."

The first attack happened Jan. 24 near the intersection of East 11th Street and Waller in East Austin just after 10 p.m. when the group approached a victim on the street and demanded money. The following evening, a person was attacked in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 2504 Huntwick Drive.

"We hadn't heard anything about it, so it's kind of surprising to know something like that happened out here in front of our house," said Boreece Maxey, who lives in the complex.

Investigators believe the group struck twice on Jan. 28, first at an apartment complex in the 1300 block of Crossing Place and then at another in the 2800 block of William Cannon Drive. All of the victims gave similar suspect and vehicle descriptions.

Police have arrested Jeremy Castro and Princess Trejo, but are still looking for Daniel Castro, 22. All three have been charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping.

"Austin is for the most part a very safe city, but as we continue to grow and get bigger we do see unfortunately these types of incidents occur," said Herring.

In 2011, there were 1,106 robberies city wide, but in 2012, the number was down to 978.  So far this year, that downward trend has continued. In January, there were 74 robberies compared to the same month in 2012 when there were 81.