Second gas station robbery suspect held on $100k bond

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - A Spring man is being held in Montgomery County Jail on a $100,000 bond after being arrested in connection with multiple gas station robberies in The Woodlands earlier this month.

Shenandoah Police officers arrested Justino Emmanuel Benitez, 22, of Spring on Monday at a convenience store on Valleywood Road, according to a prepared statement.

Benitez confessed to police that he robbed the Texaco in Shenandoah and the Shell on Woodlands Parkway with Justin James Washington, 24, also of Spring, according to the statement.

A Shenandoah detective was able to find Benitez with tips from residents.

“These mutual endeavors between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve help ensure a safer lifestyle for us all,” said Shenandoah Police Chief John Chancellor.

Police arrested Washington after he allegedly robbed the Exxon station at 710 Sawdust Road on Jan. 17.

On Jan. 16 at about 10:30 p.m. two armed men entered the Texaco gas station at 28677 I-45 North in Shenandoah and robbed the store. On Jan. 17 the same men robbed the the Shell station at Many Pines and Woodlands Parkway in The Woodlands.

Bryan Shettig can be reached at bpsmail@bayoucitymedia.com.