APD Catches Armed Robbery Suspect in the Act
Michael Garcia, 24
August 1, 2013
By Officer Tasia Martinez
The search for a suspect who robbed four Albuquerque businesses at gunpoint in a span of eight days ended Wednesday night when the Albuquerque Police Department’s Repeat Offender Project (ROP) Unit captured the suspect as he was robbing the Valero store located at 4420 Zuni SE.
24-year-old Michael Garcia was arrested shortly after APD ROP Detectives witnessed Garcia rob the Valero clerk and flee from the store. Detectives took immediate action and gave chase to Garcia as he fled on foot from the store towards his motorcycle. Garcia was seen holding a gun as he ran from the business and detectives were able to apprehend him without injury.
APD Armed Robbery Detectives booked Michael Garcia on five counts of armed robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center on a $987,500 cash or surety bond.
ROP Detectives began conducting surveillance on Garcia after an Armed Robbery Detective watched surveillance video from one of the victimized businesses and made a connection that led them to Garcia's residence.
Armed Robbery Detectives have worked this case aggressively over several days after quickly identifying a pattern of armed robberies that appeared to be possibly committed by the same individual. Detectives were concerned because the suspect in the string of robberies was armed with a firearm. Robbery Detectives believe Garcia is connected to 3 additional cases including robberies at Allsups, 1605 Indian School, Quizno's, 300 Menaul Blvd., and Ram Oil, 2601 2nd St. All three of the robberies occurred within a four-day period.
