2 South Austin Cases Involving Possibly Armed Man May Be Related

AUSTIN, TX — Neighborhoods in South Austin are on alert after two recent incidents on the same day involving a possibly armed male suspect — in one instance walking naked near an elementary school and in the other accused of tackling a woman in a greenbelt — that could be related, police said Tuesday.

Police provided more details related to the first incident involving an unclothed man claiming to have a gun at Travis Heights Elementary School, 2010 Alameda Dr., on Monday. Although a weapon the man claimed he had was never produced, police speculated the man could have been hiding it within the clothes he was clutching at the time.

The man's threatening presence prompted officials to place the elementary school on lock-down mode until the danger passed. Although school is out for the summer, three dozen children were on site for after-school activities before they were moved to a safe location, police said in a previous press advisory.

The suspect is described as white male standing at five feet, eight inches, with dirty blond hair and a goatee.

Related story: Naked, Possibly Armed Man Prompts South Austin School Lockdown

A short time later on the same day, the Austin Police Department received a report of a woman being tackled in Blunn Creek Greenbelt, 1901 East Side Dr. by a man with a similar description. In that incident, the victim described the man as a stocky, Hispanic male of about 30 years of age. He was further described as standing five feet, eight inches in height, wearing a white T-shirt.

In both calls, the suspect stated he had a gun even though no weapon was displayed. APD’s Sex Crimes Unit is investigating if these cases are related, police said.

"We do ask that the community remain vigilant and if you see something that looks suspicious, call 9-1-1 immediately," police urged. Those with information about either of these incidents should call the Sex Crimes tip line at (512) 974-5095.