SAN ANTONIO – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, San Antonio Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety made the first arrest in San Antonio using a special network for ballistic imaging technology,
Manuel Delgado, 25, was arrested Tuesday in connection with an aggravated robbery in November of a 7-Eleven store at 2302 West Avenue, ATF officials said in a news release.
An arrest affidavit said a man and woman forcefully took beer from a clerk at the 7-Eleven. Surveillance video showed an unidentified person, later identified as Delgado, firing a gun outside the store, allowing the man and woman to get away.
The case file showed a National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, or NIBIN, lead connecting a shell casing recovered at the convenience store with a shell casing fired in the 1100 block of Castroville Road.
In December, Delgado was arrested in the 1100 block of Castroville Road for a weapons violation, and a 9 mm handgun was seized. NIBIN testing showed the handgun was the same weapon fired at the 7-Eleven robbery.
NIBIN technology evaluates ballistic evidence to identify shooters and can connect a gun to multiple crime scenes, ATF officials said.
"When a firearm is fired, it leaves behind unique marks and impressions on a casing," said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Frank Ortega. "No two firearms will leave the same impression on a casing."
San Antonio first joined the network back in August of last year. It is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms.
"The use of NIBIN technology to link unsolved gun crimes in San Antonio will make great strides towards reducing violent crime," said ATF Houston Field Division Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski.
According to a Crime Stoppers report, a clerk was shot in the robbery.