A Corpus Christi man has been sentenced to federal prison following his involvement in two armed robberies at Vape City stores and a subsequent high-speed chase, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Jose Rodriguez, 23, pleaded guilty on April 22 to charges related to the incidents. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced Rodriguez to 12 months for aggravated robbery and an additional 84 months for brandishing a firearm, to be served consecutively. After completing the total 96-month sentence, Rodriguez will be subject to three years of supervised release.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Ramos considered the severity of Rodriguez’s actions. "He not only robbed store employees at gunpoint but also led officers on a reckless high-speed chase through residential neighborhoods," noted the court.
The events occurred on July 9, 2024, when Rodriguez and Alex Espinosa entered a Vape City store on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi and demanded money from employees at gunpoint. The pair took cash and cell phones before leaving the scene.
Later that evening, they targeted another Vape City location in Calallen using similar tactics.
Authorities identified Rodriguez’s vehicle after the second robbery and attempted a traffic stop. Rodriguez fled at speeds exceeding 100 mph and turned off his headlights in an attempt to evade law enforcement. The pursuit lasted about 25 minutes over a distance of roughly 20 miles before ending at Rodriguez’s residence. Both suspects tried to escape on foot but were apprehended shortly after.
Espinosa, age 25, also from Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty for his involvement and was previously sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release.
Rodriguez remains in custody awaiting transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with help from the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Martin prosecuted.
