SAN ANTONIO – Employees were finishing their duties at Mimi's cafe at the Rim at around 11 p.m. on Monday when two men came in to rob the place.
San Antonio police spokesman Officer Matthew Porter said the thieves were brandishing weapons and demanded money.
Police say the gunmen herded 7 people into a cooler, then took money from the restaurant and robbed the employees.
"One of the witnesses said that one of the suspects was apologetic," Porter said. "He made the statement that he was trying to take care of his family."
Twenty minutes later, police believe the same men robbed Hills and Dales Ice House at Babcock and Loop 1604. Customers and employees were held at gunpoint as the men robbed the restaurant and everyone inside.
Police say modern technology wound up being the key in catching one of the suspects.
A victim was able to use a GPS system to track down their stolen cell phone and reported that location to police.
The phone was tracked to the 500 block of Precious Road. Police pulled over the man after he drove away in an SUV. Inside the vehicle, police found stolen items and large amount of cash.
The driver, 31-year-old John Trinidad, is charged with two counts of aggravated robbery.
Two of the suspects are still on the loose, Porter said.
Police are looking into whether or not the same group played a role in other restaurant robberies that took place earlier in the week.