Police seek look-out in kidnapping

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for Antonio Espitia, 18, in the Aug. 15 aggravated kidnapping crime that happened in the 9300 block of Manchaca Road .

In that incident, a man who was riding his bicycle was approached by a group of men who first asked to use his cell phone. As he tried to ride away, they allegedly pushed him down an embankment, took his ATM card and tried to use it, then shot at the victim as he tried to escape, hitting him in the buttocks.

One of the suspects, James Perkins, was arrested soon after, and allegedly named Espitia as the shooter.

Police later questioned Espitia, who admitted to being involved, but told police his only role was to be on the look-out for police the night of the robbery.

On Aug. 30, the victim identified Espitia in a photo line-up, and confirmed to police that he remembers this suspect appeared to be acting as a look-out during the robbery.

Bond for Espitia is set at $25,000. He is to be charged with aggravated kidnapping, a first-degree felony, by acting as a look-out during the course of the abduction in which a deadly weapon was used.

Police believe it was Perkins who fired the shot that hit the victim.