CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Robberies at two separate Vape City locations led to a high-speed pursuit early Tuesday morning, according to Corpus Christi police officials.
The two men behind the robberies were 22-year-old Jose Rodriguez and 24-year-old Alex Espinoza. Both men face charges of robbery and evading arrest.
Around 4 a.m., police responded to the initial call of a robbery in progress at the smoke shop Vape City on Ayers near McArdle.
The suspects left the location in a white SUV, according to CCPD.
About 45 minutes later police received information of a second robbery at another Vape City location in Calallen.
Responding officers spotted the white SUV in the Calallen area and attempted a traffic stop before the suspects fled from authorities. The chase ended near Dabney and Staples Street behind Driscoll Children's Hospital.
No injuries were reported.
With information about the suspects from the initial robbery on Ayers police were able to link the suspects to the second robbery in Calallen.
"We don't take this lightly and there was no guarantee that we were going to get these guys in custody without them seriously injuring or killing someone so that is the reason for the pursuit -- and we are very happy for the outcome," Lt. Daniella Ortiz said.
Police were able to locate a weapon and an undisclosed amount of money from both locations.
3NEWS spoke with employee Elisha Garza from the Ayers Vape City location, who was working during the robbery.
"I was in the back, all I heard was a big boom in the front door, my coworker was cleaning her case," he said. "They made contact with her and started pushing her to the back."
Garza is happy the situation didn't escalate further.
"I'm glad we all came out safe," he said. "[It was] really really nerve wrecking, I didn't expect to be in this situation. I'm glad we handled everything appropriately I'm glad our other store is safe. I'm glad everything worked out the way it did."
Garza told 3NEWS that both locations' surveillance cameras got a clear picture of the car and license plate and helped police catch the criminals.
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