Austin PD responds to jewellery retail store theft at Barton Creek Mall

AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Law enforcement Division reported they, alongside with Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Hearth Department, responded to reports of a theft at Barton Creek Shopping mall Saturday night.

APD responded all-around 8:30 p.m. to 2901 S. Funds of Texas Highway just after getting reviews that a few persons ended up in the shopping mall breaking glass conditions at Helzberg Diamonds and making an attempt to steal products from the keep, Michael Bullock with the APD Community Information and facts Business office explained throughout a information meeting.

As officers responded to the scene, Bullock reported they received more information that an individual heard pictures fired from within the mall. At that issue, the response was elevated, which initiated a much larger response to incorporate ATCEMS and AFD.

The 1st responders arrived on scene and evacuated the shopping mall as a basic safety precaution.

No injuries had been described in the incident, nor does APD have any suspects detained or in custody at this time, Bullock claimed.

Officials at this place believe that that the seems of gunshots were in fact the outcome of suspects hitting and breaking the glass at the jewelry shop, Bullock reported. He included that all those associated got absent with some products.

“We do recognize that it was a incredibly chaotic scene, but you saw a massive quantity of law enforcement, fireplace and EMS units and this was because we were equipped to coordinate very immediately and get there on scene to produce teams in order to clear the shopping mall as speedily and successfully as we can to ensure that there would not be any risk to the general public,” Bullock explained.

Investigators are seeking at the incident as an isolated one particular at Helzberg Diamonds. They are also examining surveillance online video as part of the investigation.

ATCEMS first tweeted about the incident around 8:55 p.m. stating initially responders ended up at the scene of an “active assault” at the mall right after 911 callers documented “quite a few folks with guns and photographs fired” in close proximity to the food stuff court docket. Then APD reported just after 9:15 p.m. that they had been responding to experiences of a theft.

About an hour afterwards, ATCEMS stated the incident was remaining “de-escalated” and that EMS units have been leaving the scene. Minutes later, close to 10:15 p.m., APD tweeted stating the scene was distinct and safe.

Enjoy the full media conference on the incident below:

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