Justin Rhys Scepanski, an Edinburg resident, has been sentenced to 30 years in jail after pleading guilty to a charge of aggravated robbery in connection with two separate incidents last year. The sentencing was confirmed by the Hidalgo County Public’s Affair Office in a recent news release.

Scepanski's first crime took place on September 10, 2023, when he stole an SUV from a man and shot him in the abdomen at the 8900 block of Val Verde Vista Street in rural Edinburg. Later, on September 19, Scepanski targeted a DYN Wireless store located at 1001 S. 10th Street in McAllen. During the robbery, he discharged his weapon at an employee who attempted to intervene. The employee sustained a grazing injury from the bullet.

Law enforcement authorities apprehended Scepanski two days later in McAllen after a police chase, during which he was found hiding in the back of a dump truck. Initially charged with multiple counts of aggravated robbery, evading arrest with a vehicle, resisting arrest, and additional theft charges committed while on probation, Scepanski received his sentencing from a judge.

The judge handed down a 30-year prison term for the aggravated robbery charges, 10 years for evading arrest, and two years for the theft charges. All sentences will run concurrently.