On Thursday morning, an armored truck robbery unfolded outside an AutoZone on FM 78 in Converse, Texas, marking the third such incident in the area in just over four months. A Garda security truck arrived at the AutoZone located in the 8500 block of FM 78 around 8:50 a.m. While one guard entered the store, the driver remained in the vehicle. At this point, as many as four armed robbers ambushed the truck, forcing the driver to leave the scene.
Armored Truck Heist at AutoZone FM 78
The robbers directed the driver less than a mile away to the intersection of Crestway Road and Walnut Basin, where a getaway vehicle was likely waiting. There, the suspects fled with a “substantial” amount of cash. While neither guard was shot, the truck driver sustained minor injuries after being struck with a weapon and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Converse Police Lt. Jeff Shook confirmed the significant monetary loss and the involvement of multiple suspects.
String of Robberies Along FM 78 Raises Concerns
This recent robbery at the AutoZone on FM 78 follows two similar incidents at a Chase Bank in the 6500 block of FM 78 in San Antonio. The first occurred in August, and the second on December 15th. In the August robbery, two armed men stole $292,000 from a Brinks truck. One suspect, Lawrence Eric Taylor, was arrested in September but released on bond shortly after. The December robbery at the same Chase Bank involved three armed men assaulting the Brinks driver and firing a weapon, though no one was injured by gunfire.
Investigating a Possible Connection
While authorities are investigating all possibilities, it remains unclear whether these three armored truck robberies are connected. Lt. Shook acknowledged similarities in the execution of the recent AutoZone robbery compared to the previous incidents but stated it’s too early to definitively link them. Converse police are currently reviewing surveillance footage to gather more information and identify the suspects. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine if these crimes are the work of the same individuals or separate groups targeting armored trucks along the FM 78 corridor.
