It's information that any average citizen can gather at a scene of a crime, such as the “description of the vehicle, description of the suspect and a complete set of license plates."
However, it was no average citizen that a man wearing a bandana over his face, held-up at gun point early Tuesday, in exchange for money.
San Benito Police said it happened to an off-duty Falfurrias police officer, at his apartment complex, on East Stenger Road.
"The victim complied because he was in fear something may happen, so he started complying and giving up his property,” Police Chief Martin Morales said. “Once he turned over his wallet and his wife's purse, the suspect ran-off and got into a red Jeep Liberty."
Police said as soon as the alleged thief left, the off-duty police officer reported the crime to police.
"He was able to provide a complete (description of the) set of license plates," Morales said.
Meanwhile, just 14 minutes later, police said the armed man struck again.
The victim was a 20-year-old man walking home from a Stripes convenient store on South Oscar Williams Road.
"Same suspect, same description, same vehicle,” Morales said. “Suspect gets out, points a handgun at him, demands his property - he takes a cell phone."
Police said the suspect also pistol-whipped the second victim in the back of the head, and the victim had to be hospitalized.
Morales credits the off-duty officer for providing the information that led them to the arrest of 19-year-old Daniel Solis and 20-year-old Anna Lisa Quiroga - minutes after the second robbery.
“This officer, his brain was working at the same time the incident was happening, and he was using his mind as a recorder," Morales said.
The couple was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated robbery.
The couple was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.
They were turned over to Harlingen Police, in connection to an armed robbery there, Monday night.
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