Police seek robbery suspect

By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX Eric-Gonzalez
Staff Writer

Reporter@sbnewspaper.com

It’s been over a week, and local authorities are still trying to apprehend 18-year-old Eric Gonzalez of San Benito, who is wanted in connection to two aggravated robberies in Cameron County.

At approximately 8:20 p.m. on Feb. 17 at a San Benito convenience store located on the intersection of Sam Houston and Turner Street, Gonzalez reportedly threatened a store worker with a blunt object and stole cash from the register.

Police obtained surveillance footage from the convenience store where they saw the suspect wearing a dark hoodie. San Benito Police Department Assistant Chief of Operations Michael Galvan said, “According to the video, he started walking back and forth in the store. There were customers in the store, and as soon as the last elderly couple left the store, (Gonzalez) pulled out a piece of rebar and threatened the clerk.”

Galvan said the video footage also revealed that, “The clerk took a few steps back … and (Gonzalez) reached into the cash register. He pulled out a large number of bills. The clerk ran after him.”

Investigators have reported that Gonzalez stole around $1,500.

“The video was good quality,” said Galvan. “Without a doubt, we know who he is because we have dealt with him in the past. Apparently, he also did an aggravated robbery in La Feria and (has been) on the run ever since.”

Galvan said, “We’ve checked several residences here and in La Feria, and we put the word out to all his friends and family. [We] told them that if they are hiding him, they could be committing a felony.”

Harboring a known fugitive is a crime punishable by law. Galvan explained that if anyone is protecting Gonzalez at this time, they can be charged with Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution; at the bare minimum, the charge is “a Class A misdemeanor but can go up to a 3rd degree felony, depending on the extent of their involvement,” Galvan said.

Authorities have received reports indicating that Gonzalez is in Cameron County at this time and should be considered armed and dangerous. Gonzalez is considered a fugitive and is wanted for at least two counts of Aggravated Robbery.

Anyone with information regarding the alleged crimes occurring in San Benito or La Feria or with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact SBPD at (956) 361-3880 or the nearest law enforcement agency.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2015/02/27/police-seek-robbery-suspect/

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