Aggressive Suspect Arrested After Allegedly Attacking & Robbing a Man with Pepper Spray

SAN ANGELO – A local man has been arrested after allegedly robbing an individual after assaulting him with pepper spray.

According to reports from law enforcement, the victim stated that Austen Zertuche was following him in a vehicle from the Dollar General store located at 10860 West Carlsbad Loop in Carlsbad. The victim staten he then pulled his vehicle over at the 11700 block of West Grape Creek Road where Zertuche pulled up next to the vehicle and stopped.

The victim said Zertuche asked to use his cellphone and approached the driver side window of the victim’s vehicle. At the window, Zertuche allegedly produced a can of pepper spray and sprayed the victim in the face and chest area causing him pain. The victim said Zertuche then took his iPhone valued at around $1,400 and fled.

Near the scene, deputies recovered a can of “Sabre Red” Pepper Gel.

Zertuche was arrested and booked into the Tom Green County Detention Facility on August 1, 2022 and was released on August 2, 2022 on $20,000 bond.