Topeka Man Fired Gun in Robbery, Injuring Two

Audley M. Crable, 28, of Topeka, Kan., is staring down federal charges after a grand jury indicted him for firing a gun during a violent robbery that left two employees severely injured. The incident occurred on November 19, 2011, at Mo’s Express, located at 810 Southeast 15th Street in Topeka, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Crable faces one count of commercial robbery and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Prosecutors allege he opened fire inside the convenience store during the robbery, turning a routine holdup into a life-threatening assault. The gunfire caused serious injuries to two employees who were working at the time, trauma that has lingered for over a decade as investigators worked to bring him to justice.

If convicted, Crable could serve up to 20 years in federal prison on the robbery charge, with an additional mandatory minimum of 10 years for using a firearm—sentences that would run consecutively. He also faces fines up to $250,000 on each count. The severity of the charges underscores the federal government’s crackdown on gun violence tied to robberies.

The FBI and Topeka Police Department led the investigation, piecing together forensic evidence and witness statements from the night of the shooting. Despite the 2011 timeline, law enforcement officials say advances in case file review and suspect tracking eventually led to Crable’s indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting the case.

In separate but related federal actions, two other Kansas men were also indicted this week. Luis Antonio Aguilera Martinez, 22, who is currently in custody, was charged with unlawfully re-entering the U.S. after deportation. Found in Coffey County on November 1, 2016, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Homeland Security Investigations handled the probe, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard leading the prosecution.

Kevin Martin, 35, also in custody at the Wyandotte County Detention Center, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The alleged offense occurred November 5, 2016, in Wyandotte County. Martin faces up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated; Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton is prosecuting. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.