Police Arrest Man in East Austin Burglary Spree
Austin Police say a 56-year-old man is linked to six commercial burglaries, including one at The Cenote Café.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Property Crime
Austin Police have arrested Larry Ray Vasquez, 56, in connection with a series of commercial burglaries targeting businesses in east Austin. Vasquez was already held in Travis County Jail on an unrelated burglary charge when he was served a warrant for the July 7 break-in at The Cenote Café.
Why it matters
The arrest links multiple commercial burglaries across east Austin to a single suspect, offering relief to business owners in the area. Investigators identified Vasquez from surveillance footage and prior cases.
Vasquez faces burglary of a non-residence charges in six separate cases, with the Cenote Café arrest warrant issued September 18 while he was already in Travis County Jail. Court dates, bail amounts and plea status have not been reported.
The players
Austin Police Department
The municipal police agency of Austin, Texas, which investigated the commercial burglaries and made the arrest.
Larry Ray Vasquez
A 56-year-old man charged with burglary of a non-residence in six cases across east Austin.
The details
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage provided by the owner of The Cenote Café, located at 1405 E. 7th St., where officers found a shattered glass door, a pried-open safe and cash missing after the July 7 burglary. The cases also include incidents on East 6th Street and East Cesar Chavez Street.
Timeline
July 7: Burglary at The Cenote Café, 1405 E. 7th St.
September 18: Arrest warrant for burglary of a building issued to Vasquez
November 6: Arrest announced by Austin Police
Legal Context
Burglary of a non-residence is charged under Texas Penal Code Section 30.02, which covers entry into commercial buildings with intent to commit theft or another felony. Cases like this one, where a suspect is tied to multiple business break-ins, are typically prosecuted as separate counts under that provision.
East Austin business owners may see continued police attention to commercial burglaries, and those with surveillance systems should preserve footage for investigators. Residents near 7th, 6th and Cesar Chavez streets can expect the cases to proceed through the Travis County court system.
The takeaway
Commercial property owners in east Austin can reduce burglary risk by keeping surveillance cameras recording and reporting suspicious activity promptly. Footage like the video used in this case can be critical to identifying suspects.
Further reading
For more on local break-ins and theft trends, see Property Crime coverage in Austin.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KXAN.
