Suspect accused of beating man with tire iron during home invasion smiles in mugshot

Gerardo Gabriel Leal II, 30, has been charged with aggravated robbery and burglary of a habitation with intent to commit assault. Gerardo Gabriel Leal II, 30, has been charged with aggravated robbery and burglary of a habitation with intent to commit assault. Photo: Bexar County Sheriff's Office Photo: Bexar County Sheriff's Office Image 1 of / 45 Caption Close Suspect accused of beating man with tire iron during home invasion smiles in mugshot 1 / 45 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — A man suspected of beating a homeowner with a tire iron during a robbery last week has been arrested.

Gerardo Gabriel Leal II, 30, has been charged with aggravated robbery and burglary of a habitation with intent to commit assault.

Leal was among four individuals who entered a home in the 10600 block of Expedition Creek on July 8, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

The document said the man who lived at the home had seen two women, one of whom was carrying a golf club, walking in his backyard around 6:30 p.m.

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The man went to his back door to ask who was there, and one of the women said “It’s me,” pushed him aside and went into his house, according to the affidavit. The woman who entered the house asked the man where his daughter was.

When he said she was upstairs, the woman told her not to call her “because this is going to get ugly,” the document stated.

The affidavit said the second woman went to the front door of the residence and unlocked it, allowing two men, one of whom was identified as Leal, inside.

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As Leal, who was holding a tire iron, approached the homeowner, he turned and ran out the back door to the patio.

Leal and the woman with the golf club followed.

The affidavit said Leal hit the man with the tire iron in the ribs and the woman struck him with the golf club in the face and shoulder.

According to the document, the woman lost her grip on the club, allowing the man to grab it and use it to defend himself.

All four suspects then ran through the house to the front door.

While doing so, one of the suspects grabbed the man’s keys and phone, then took off in his SUV.

Leal was arrested around 11:30 p.m. on July 10. He is currently being held at the Bexar County Jail.

The female who assaulted the homeowner was identified in the affidavit, but has not yet been arrested.

mdwilson@express-news.net

Twitter: @MDWilsonSA