SUBMITTED PHOTO

On May 30, police say Luis Rey Pena, 21, robbed the Auto Zone on Guadalupe Street.

–

SUBMITTED REPORT

A man suspected in the shotgun robbery of a San Marcos pizza shop Friday night and an automotive store on May 30 was arrested without incident Saturday in Seguin, where he lives.

Luis Rey Pena, 21, is jailed at the Hays County Law Enforcement Center under $200,000 bond, charged with two counts of aggravated robbery. He is also a suspect in a third robbery in Seguin.

A man entered Little Caesar’s Pizza in the 1000 block of Texas 80 about 11 p.m. Friday carrying a shotgun, San Marcos police Cmdr. Terry Nichols said.

The suspect fired the shotgun into the ceiling and demanded money from the employees. The robber fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. The employees were not injured.

The aggravated robbery was similar to an incident that occurred at 10 p.m. on May 30 when a man carrying a shotgun entered the Auto Zone in the 600 block of South Guadalupe in San Marcos and fired into to the ceiling. He demanded money from the employees and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured.

On Saturday, Police received information that Pena was responsible for both robberies as well as a third similar robbery on June 19 at Dyess Food Mart in the 300 block of Highway 123 in Seguin.

The investigation led detectives to Seguin where Pena was arrested without incident late Saturday evening by San Marcos Police detectives and Seguin police.

Police recovered the weapon used in both robberies as well as property stolen from Little Caesar’s, Nichols said. Pena was transported to the Hays County Law Enforcement where he was charged with two counts of Aggravated Robbery, a first degree felony. He is currently being held on $200,000 bond.

“These were both very violent robberies, incidents that are uncommon in our community,” Nichols said. “Armed robberies are very concerning to us, especially when shots are fired. We are glad to have this violent suspect in custody.”

– FROM THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS/MELISSA MILLECAM

RELATED IN THE MERCURY:

• Three charged in aggravated robberies | July 28, 2009
• Two arrested in latest home invasion, shooting | October 21, 2009
• Alleged dollar store robber charged with January bank heist | April 20, 2009
• Police arrest ATM robbery suspect | November 7, 2008
• Suspects arrested in armed robbery at Shell station | November 7, 2008