Texas man arrested after allegedly committing over 16 robberies within 35-day period

A central Texas man was arrested this week and charged with over 20 counts of aggravated robbery for several offences spanning a 35-day period.

Members of the Austin Police Department’s Robbery Unit apprehended Brian Degrate, 33, on Friday and charged him with 21 counts of aggravated robbery along with an additional charge of robbery assault.

Police said Degrate, who is a convicted felon and known robbery suspect, took part in a minimum of 16 robberies in North Austin. In each robbery, Degrate targeted Hispanic people who knew little to no English.

The first incident occurred on September 14th. Authorities said that Degrate and another suspect approached and pointed a gun at the victim before hitting the victim on the head with a bat.

The two suspects threatened to kill the victim before running off with his wallet, authorities confirmed.

Two days later, Degrate reportedly held another victim gunpoint in an apartment complex parking lot before stealing money from their wallet.

Degrate returned to the same complex on September 19th and assaulted his victim with a bat before stealing their keys, car, and cell phone, police said.  The car was located not long after the assault.

Police said that Degrate worked both alone and in some cases, with two other accomplices. Degrate is known to police and has a long rap sheet including aggravated robbery, robbery, and burglary of a vehicle.

Police have confirmed that an investigation into the robberies is underway, and they have cautioned the public to be aware of their surroundings.