Clown-Masked Robber Arrested for Aggravated Theft at San Antonio Vape Shops
Thomas Ybarra, 37, was arrested and faces three counts of aggravated robbery. He targeted two vape shops in San Antonio while wearing a clown mask. The incidents occurred on November 19 at Vape City and on November 20 at Smoke Tokes.
Ybarra allegedly robbed the stores at gunpoint, stealing hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise. Ahmad Amini, the owner of Smoke Tokes, reported that his store was robbed for the second time in a week. Surveillance footage captured Ybarra entering the store in regular clothes, then changing into a hoodie and clown mask. He was armed during the robbery, which left a store employee in distress.
Amini described the employee’s fear after the robbery, stating she was in tears and scared from the incident. The prior day, Ybarra had also robbed Vape City while wearing a joker mask. He escaped on foot after that robbery.
What security measures is Ahmad Amini considering for Smoke Tokes after the recent robberies?
Interview with Ahmad Amini: Owner of Smoke Tokes on the Recent Armed Robberies in San Antonio
News Directory 3: Thank you for joining us, Ahmad. Can you recount the events of the robbery that took place at Smoke Tokes?
Ahmad Amini: Of course, but it’s still quite fresh and distressing. The incident happened on November 20. We had just dealt with another robbery the day before at Vape City. The guy came in wearing a hoodie and a clown mask, brandishing a gun. It was terrifying for everyone in the store, especially for my employee who ended up in tears afterwards.
ND3: That sounds incredibly traumatic. How has your employee been coping since the incident?
Amini: She’s been really shaken up. After the robbery, she was visibly scared and it took her some time to calm down. It’s hard to focus on work when you’re worried something like this could happen again.
ND3: You mentioned that this was the second robbery in just a week. How have these incidents impacted your business?
Amini: It’s been a real challenge. I recently opened a new location on Fredericksburg and just as we were beginning to establish ourselves, this happens. Robberies like this not only affect our finances but also our reputation and customer trust. It’s difficult to keep morale up, both for staff and in terms of customer relations.
ND3: Can you tell us more about how the police handled the situation after the robbery?
Amini: I have to commend the San Antonio Police Department for their swift response. They reviewed the surveillance footage immediately and were able to track down Thomas Ybarra using his licence plate. They apprehended him the very next day, which is a relief. It gives us some peace of mind knowing he was caught so quickly.
ND3: What do you think can be done to prevent such incidents in the future?
Amini: I believe it’s essential for law enforcement to increase patrols in areas where these crimes are occurring. Additionally, as business owners, we need to invest in better security measures, like enhanced surveillance systems and alarm systems. Community awareness plays a significant role too—neighbors looking out for one another can make a big difference.
ND3: Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Ahmad. It’s important for the public to understand the real impact of such crimes on small business owners like yourself.
Amini: Thank you for having me. I just hope to raise awareness and hopefully prevent future incidents, not just for my business but for others in our community as well.
Police identified Ybarra through surveillance footage. They used his license plate to track him down at home, leading to his arrest on November 21. Amini praised the quick police response, which resulted in Ybarra’s capture the next day.
Amini expressed concern about the impact of the robbery on his business, especially since he had recently opened the Fredericksburg location. He mentioned the challenges of running a business amid such incidents.