North Austin News

On December 4, 2024, Austin Police Department (APD) Patrol officers responded to a burglary call at an apartment complex located at 6407 Springdale Rd. Officers discovered a victim and witness along with evidence, including a spent 9MM shell casing. The investigation revealed that multiple suspects unlawfully entered the apartment while a witness was inside. The witness hid in a closet and called her boyfriend for help. During the incident, four burglars were chased away by the boyfriend. One suspect, Orlen Guillen, fired a pistol at the boyfriend as he pursued them on foot; however, no injuries were reported.

The suspects fled before officers arrived. APD Residential Burglary Unit Detectives assisted patrol officers and recovered surveillance video showing the suspects' vehicle in the parking lot. A license plate was obtained from this footage, and detectives worked throughout the evening to locate the vehicle. A Flock License Plate Reader confirmed its presence at the scene of the offense.

Detectives identified an address linked to Orlen Guillen and his mother. On December 5, 2024, APD Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) located the suspect vehicle and began surveillance. Guillen was observed cleaning it at a car wash and was taken into custody by VCTF. The vehicle was seized as evidence pending a search warrant.

Another suspect, Nefi Amed Gomez-Lopez, dressed similarly to how he appeared during the shooting, was found loitering in the apartment complex parking lot. He was apprehended by VCTF after allegedly discarding a stolen 9MM pistol from his backpack during his capture. Both suspects were transported to the Residential Burglary Unit where they provided full confessions.

A search warrant executed on Guillen's residence resulted in clothing recovery matching what he wore during the shooting captured on surveillance video. A cellular device believed linked to one suspect was also recovered along with another vehicle seized for potential evidence pending a search warrant.

A detective with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Taskforce conducted a National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) check on the recovered shell casing which generated a hit for an aggravated assault involving shots fired related to another residential burglary on November 8, 2024. This analysis implicated at least one suspect in that incident as well.

Detectives believe two suspects remain outstanding and request anyone with information to contact APD Residential Burglary Unit at (512) 974-4941 or via email at APDBurglaryUnit@austintexas.gov.