http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?news ... 9392&rfi=6

05/08/2006
Police nab two after incident
By: CELINA ALVARADO , LAREDO MORNING TIMES


Two illegal immigrants from Nuevo Laredo, accused of assaulting a woman with a screwdriver and stealing her purse Saturday, are now behind bars.

Police said the suspects, identified as 18-year-old Jose Antonio Vasquez-Torres and a 15-year-old juvenile, are now facing first-degree aggravated robbery charges.

The two are accused of approaching a 27-year-old woman and demanding money from her Saturday at about 6:30 p.m.

Police said the woman was attacked as she made her way to her vehicle at the parking lot of of a store in the 5500 block of San Bernardo Avenue.
The two suspects attempted to snatch the victim's purse but were met with a struggle, police said.

It was then that the juvenile allegedly pulled out a screwdriver and threatened to stab her if she didn't let go, said case officer Thelma Hernandez.

Information provided by the victim and the quick response from three Laredo Police officers, Hernandez, David Carmona and Jesus G. Martinez, subsequently led to their capture.

The three officers split up and followed the suspects as they fled on foot.
Vasquez-Torres was detained near the canal in front of K-Mart. The juvenile was taken at gunpoint near Fuddrucker's restaurant, police said. Both suspects claimed to be juveniles.

Police said the two had illegally crossed the border together Saturday morning, and that one of them was picked up for shoplifting in Laredo last week.
(
Celina Alvarado can be reached at 728-2566 or celina@lmtonline.com)