Andra Allen (center) master and co-owner of Ernie Reyes World Martial Arts studio in its prior Steiner Ranch location in 2016. Allen is no longer owner of the studio which relocated to Lakeway several years ago. FOUR POINTS NEWS
By LESLEE BASSMAN, Four Points News
Andra Lacarlus Allen, 52, a former instructor and co-owner with Ernie Reyes World Martial Arts studio in its prior Steiner Ranch location, was arrested Feb. 17 by the U.S. Marshals office in conjunction with an alleged aggravated home invasion robbery. He is charged with a first degree felony and his bond in the incident was set at $150,000. Allen remains in custody as of 5 p.m. today, according to Travis County records.
The incident allegedly occurred in the late morning hours of Feb. 11 as a woman living in the 12200 block of Lake Stone Drive—within the Lake Pointe community in Lakeway—was bound and robbed at gunpoint, according to a Travis County Sheriff’s Office news report. Detectives in the case believe the victim was targeted by Allen while shopping at a local grocery store, with Allen following her home.
The report states that a recent traffic citation involving the vehicle used in the incident led to Allen as the vehicle’s driver.
While married, master instructors Allen and Cindy Villanueva opened Steiner Ranch’s Ernie Reyes World Martial Arts in May of 2007 as part of the nationwide Ernie Reyes West Coast World Martial Arts Association. The award-winning studio relocated to 1700 N. RM 620 in the Lakeway area. The couple were married 11 years and divorced in August of 2016.
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In an exclusive interview with the Four Points News today, Villanueva said Allen has not been at the school since 2016 and she hasn’t seen or spoken with him in two years.
“He has nothing to do with my school,” she said of Allen. “He’s been out of the (Ernie Reyes West Coast World Martial Arts) Association for that long and not invited back.”
Villanueva said she is not aware of Allen’s financial situation and said nothing in their past could point to him as being a suspect in this type of incident. During their marriage, she said Allen served as the security director at LifeAustin Church.
“Having integrity and honor and black belt excellence is absolutely the number one guiding principle for me,” said Villanueva, who teaches business ethics at Concordia University. “That’s how I run my school. That’s how we deal with families.”
According to Four Points parent Julie Apra, whose daughter is a student of Ernie Reyes World Martial Arts, “West Coast World Martial Arts has been and will continue to be an integral part of my daughter’s life and I am deeply grateful for the leadership, encouragement, and mentorship of Cindy Villanueva.”
Travis County records also show Allen and Jill Rhea Leavengood were granted a divorce in July of 2018.
TCSO is asking anyone who has knowledge about Allen and his activities to call the agency’s tip line at (512) 854-1444.