AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a 27-year-old man pleaded guilty in federal court and faces up to 20 years minimum in prison for committing multiple armed robberies in Austin.
According to court documents, on Dec. 31, 2023, Christian Lopez-Burgos, a Honduran national, used a pistol to attempt to rob a fast food restaurant on Interstate Highway 35 and a convenience store on North Lamar Boulevard.
At the convenience store, Lopez-Burgos and two other masked, armed men stole around $6,000 while Lopez-Burgos pointed the pistol at the employee working the cash register, according to the DOJ.
On Jan. 23, 2024, Lopez-Burgos was caught on security video driving the same vehicle from the previous robberies, as he and four others robbed another convenience store on North Lamar Boulevard, resulting in $5,000 being stolen from the cash register.
The DOJ said a couple of days later, Lopez-Burgos and three others would rob a vape and smoke shop in San Marcos, stealing CBD and kratom items, as well as glass pipes.
Lopez-Burgos was arrested in Houston on Feb. 15, 2024, after he attempted to evade police in the same vehicle he had used for multiple robberies. According to the press release, a search of the vehicle located clothing used in the robberies, as well as glass pipes and a necklace stolen from the vape and smoke shop employee.
Lopez-Burgos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; two counts of Hobbs Act robbery; two counts of discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and one count of brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
According to the DOJ, a Hobbs Act robbery is defined as a robbery that affects interstate or foreign commerce.
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