Suspect Charged With South Austin Robbery Wielding Tongs

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — A man arrested last week is accused of robbing a Southeast Austin Whataburger by threatening a worker with a pair of metal tongs, according to a published report.

In an arrest affidavit, police said David Garcia-Gonzalez, 44, entered the Whataburgeron Burleson Road and East Oltorf Street at around 3:30 p.m. Thursday before walking behind the counter and grabbed a pair of tongs, according to a report in the Austin American-Statesman.

The man is accused confronting a fenale worker who was counting money and dug the metal tool into her side while demanding cash, according to an affidavit referenced by the Statesman. The woman told police she was frightened, no knowing the weapon was a benign pair of tongs, but others who saw the kitchen tool were able to interrupt the robbery and prompt Garcia's exit from the building, according to the report.

Garcia-Gonzalez, 44, has been charged with robbery by threat. He was booked into the Travis County Jail on Thursday,according to records.

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>>> David Garcia-Gonzalez booking photo via Austin Police Department