by San Antonio, TX — A 31-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly threatening a woman with a rifle during a robbery and attempted carjacking on the North Side of San Antonio. The suspect, Joshua Ray Vetter, has been charged with aggravated robbery and evading arrest, according to a recently filed arrest affidavit.
As of Thursday morning, Vetter was being held at the Bexar County Jail, with bail set at $78,000.
The Robbery and Attempted Carjacking
According to the arrest affidavit, the incident occurred on Sept. 26 at approximately 10:23 a.m. in the 8000 block of North New Braunfels Avenue. The woman told police that she was getting into her vehicle when a man armed with a black rifle approached her and demanded her car keys.
In fear for her life, the woman complied and handed over the keys. The suspect then allegedly pulled her from the vehicle and forced her to the ground, the affidavit states.
“The victim was terrified for her life as the suspect pointed the rifle at her multiple times,” the affidavit read.
Vetter allegedly attempted to start the car but failed. He then pointed the rifle at the woman again and demanded money.
“The suspect then demanded cash, and the victim gave him about $50 before fleeing on foot and calling for help,” police said.
Surveillance Footage Leads to Arrest
Witnesses to the incident quickly called 911, and police began their investigation. Officers reviewed surveillance video from a nearby business, which showed a man arriving on a yellow bicycle, carrying a blue golf bag with a red cover.
Detectives confirmed that the image in the footage matched the victim’s description of her assailant: a man with tattoos on his neck and arms, wearing a black shirt and shorts.
“The suspect’s tattoos and build matched those in the surveillance footage, leading investigators to focus on Vetter as a suspect,” the affidavit noted.
Police later discovered two rifles, a yellow bicycle, and the blue golf bag—all believed to have been stolen earlier that morning in a residential burglary just less than a mile away in the 100 block of Rockhill Drive.
Evidence and Identification
Further surveillance footage from an apartment complex showed a man, matching the description of Vetter, jumping a fence and abandoning one of the rifles in nearby vegetation.
On Oct. 2, detectives received an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers, which identified Joshua Vetter as the man seen in the surveillance videos.
Investigators compared the footage with previous arrest records, driver’s license images, and social media photos, ultimately identifying Vetter by his tattoos and physical build, according to the affidavit.
Legal Process and Bail
Vetter was arrested shortly after the investigation and is now facing serious charges. The authorities continue to gather evidence as the case moves forward.
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