ROWLETT, Texas — Editor's note: The above video aired when police were searching for both suspects.
One suspect has been arrested -- and one suspect is still wanted -- in connection with a string of violent armed robberies, the Rowlett Police Department announced.
According to police, officers were called to the first incident at about 8:55 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at a business parking lot in the 2500 block of Lakeview Parkway.
Police said the victim told officers on arrival that, while he was loading groceries, a man approached him from the rear of his vehicle, showed him a black pistol and demanded his wallet, which the victim gave to him. Police said the suspect then left the scene and escaped in a stolen black Hyundai Elantra, which officers later recovered.
Two days later, police were called at about 10:02 a.m. to another parking lot in the same area for an ongoing aggravated robbery, but said they were unable to find the suspect's vehicle.
Police said the second victim told police a similar incident occurred to the first, with the suspect demanding the victim's wallet while he was putting away groceries. Police said that when the victim threatened to call 911, the suspect reportedly fled in a stolen 2015 red Hyundai Sonata, with the license plate No. SWH0384, which had been reported stolen from DeSoto.
Police said the details of these incidents suggested a connection between the suspects, and that they had displayed a pattern of stealing Hyundai cars. Both suspects gained access to the vehicles by smashing the right rear window and covering it with tape, police said.
On Tuesday, Nov. 14, the Rowlett Police Department said 17-year-old Patrick Taylor was arrested Monday night by officers for unrelated charges of evading arrest-detention and unlawful carrying of a weapon. The department said, thanks to "valuable tips from viewers", they were able apprehend Taylor and also identify the other wanted suspect in the robberies, 21-year-old Dwayne Broadnax.
Below is a photo of the wanted suspect, Broadnax.
Police also released photos of the suspect's Hyundai, which was found with multiple statements written on it mocking police, including one which said "we had fun."
Anyone with information regarding Broadnax's location or the two incidents is asked to call Lead Detective J. Freeman at jfreeman@rowlett.com or by calling 972-412-6250. Information may also be provided anonymously.