Austin, Texas

What began as a routine surveillance operation quickly escalated into a violent struggle in the streets of Austin, Texas, ultimately demonstrating the value of professional training, discipline, and the importance of grappling skills when all other tools fail.

Recently, Brandon of Red Team Tier 1 Fugitive Investigation Group was assisting Iron Wolf Investigations with surveillance efforts involving wanted fugitive Crystal Rabago, who was being sought on a felony warrant out of Comal County, Texas.

During the operation, events took an unexpected turn.

While conducting surveillance, Brandon observed Rabago walking down the sidewalk directly past his vehicle. Recognizing an opportunity to safely bring the case to a close, Brandon exited his vehicle and made contact with Rabago. Initially, she refused to cooperate and immediately attempted to flee.

Brandon deployed his Taser in an effort to gain compliance, but the deployment proved unsuccessful. What followed was a violent struggle that lasted approximately five to six minutes.

Rabago quickly went to the ground and began actively resisting arrest, punching and kicking throughout the encounter. During the struggle, she managed to kick and throw Brandon's Taser, body camera, badge, and handcuffs into the roadway, effectively depriving him of every mechanical means of restraint and defensive tool available.

Despite being stripped of his equipment and engaged in a prolonged fight, Brandon maintained positive control over Rabago through the use of techniques developed through Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Gracie Survival Tactics (GST).

Utilizing positional control, leverage, and defensive tactics specifically designed for law enforcement and professional apprehension personnel, Brandon was able to prevent Rabago from escaping and control the fight without resorting to unnecessary force. Throughout the encounter, Brandon remained under constant control of Rabago despite her continued attempts to strike and break free.

Several minutes later, officers with the Austin Police Department arrived on scene and assisted in taking Rabago into custody. She was subsequently arrested on her outstanding felony warrant from Comal County.

Why Grappling Matters

This incident serves as a reminder of a reality often overlooked by many in the fugitive recovery profession:

Tools can fail. Equipment can be lost. Backup may be minutes away. Your training remains.

In this case, a failed Taser deployment and the loss of every piece of mechanical restraint equipment left only one thing standing between a violent fugitive and her escape—the ability to fight from dominant positions and maintain control.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Gracie Survival Tactics are based on the principle that a smaller or disadvantaged person can control a larger or more aggressive opponent through leverage, positioning, and technique rather than brute strength. Those principles proved invaluable during this encounter.

Without those grappling skills, the outcome could have been drastically different.

Professionalism Through Training

Red Team investigators continuously seek out advanced training and realistic defensive tactics because the profession demands it. Encounters with violent fugitives are unpredictable, and the ability to remain calm, maintain control, and resolve situations without excessive force is a hallmark of professionalism.

This incident highlights why defensive tactics training should never be viewed as optional. In an era where equipment and technology often receive the most attention, the fundamentals of grappling and control remain among the most valuable skills an investigator can possess.

At the end of the day, tools may be taken away.

Training cannot.

Red Team Tier 1 Fugitive Investigation Group

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