SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio man is facing a series of felony charges following violent incidents that include an assault and an armed robbery over the span of a week. Wayne Mercado III, 25, was captured by authorities after evading arrest for nearly a month, as law enforcement sought to piece together his alleged crimes.
The first incident occurred on September 23 outside a local convenience store, where Mercado was seen on surveillance footage engaging in an altercation with a 25-year-old man. The confrontation intensified as the victim, who was accompanied by two small children, stepped outside the PikNik store after handing them off to a family member.
Witnesses reported that Mercado, along with an unidentified accomplice, assaulted the victim, striking him multiple times with a large piece of wood. Injured but resourceful, the victim fled to a friend’s apartment for assistance. However, Mercado returned moments later, allegedly armed with a shotgun, and fired at the victim, who fortunately was unharmed. Mercado escaped before police could arrive.
Five days after the assault, Mercado allegedly committed another crime. According to an arrest warrant, he and two accomplices, identified as Jeneya Jackson and Linda Garcia, lured a woman to an apartment. Once there, they reportedly assaulted her using a metal rod, a cooking pan, and a handgun before fleeing with her purse and cellphone when an attempted intervention occurred.
Authorities compiled evidence and followed leads that finally led them to an apartment complex where Mercado and Garcia were hiding. Based on a tip-off, police surrounded the location, resulting in the peaceful surrender of the two suspects. Jackson had been apprehended prior to this operation.
Mercado now faces numerous accusations, including aggravated robbery and aggravated assault related to the earlier shooting incident outside the convenience store. The series of events has raised concerns in the community about safety and the escalation of violent crime.
The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement seeks to determine if more individuals were involved. Local residents have expressed their relief at Mercado’s capture, hoping for justice for the victims and a return to peace in their neighborhood.