Press Releases
We know that scammers consistently target citizens through email, text messages, phone calls, social media, and standard mail but our senior population is even more vulnerable to falling victim.
Scammers will say anything to get money and they like gift cards because, once they have the code on the back, the money is gone and almost impossible to trace. However, knowing how these scams work can help businesses to spot potential scams and prevent a citizen from becoming a victim.
Detectives with the San Angelo Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division are asking local businesses to train their employees to contact the police if they suspect that a victim is in danger of financial loss by prepaid gift card scams.
If you encounter a customer who is attempting to follow through with placing large amounts of money on prepaid cards, please contact police dispatch immediately at (325) 657-4315. Officers are allowed to act under a “Care Taking” function and may be able to speak with the victim and verify if the situation is legitimate or a scam.
In addition, if employees encounter a customer attempting to place money on a prepaid card(s) with multiple credit/debit cards that get declined, the cards are more than likely stolen. This is a common scheme to transfer money from stolen debit/credit cards to prepaid cards. When this happens, we strongly suggest that no employee attempt to intervene and engage the possible suspect. If this activity is observed, be a good witness and contact police to report suspicious activity.
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September 19, 2020 — Detectives with the San Angelo Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division are seeking information about a shooting incident that occurred just before 4:00 a.m. at a residence in the 2500 block of Colorado Avenue.
The victims, a 19-year-old male, a 20-year-old female, and a 21-year-old male, were treated at a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators believe the incident was targeted. No suspects have been identified.
If you have any information about the suspect(s) identity or whereabouts, please call (325) 657-4264. If you have surveillance video or cell phone video of the shooting incident itself or footage from 3:15 – 4:15 a.m. in the area of Johnson and Colorado, please contact the Criminal Investigations Division at (325) 657-4264. You can submit your video footage directly to https://sanangelopdtx.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/coloradoaveshootinginvestigation
To remain anonymous, tip online at http://bit.ly/SAPDTips247 or by text: text TIP SAPD to 888777 and follow the prompts.
This is an ongoing investigation and no additional information is available for release.
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Over the last twenty-four hours, San Angelo Police Department Officers have had their hands full with vehicle pursuits that resulted in the capture of three wanted Felons.
“First Down”
The first incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. when an officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop near Bell and Houston Harte. The vehicle’s driver, 23-year-old Kenneth Cansler, refused to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued. Shortly after, officers decided to terminate the pursuit due to safety reasons. Just as the pursuit ended, Cansler lost control of the vehicle, crashed through a fence, and came to rest on the Central High School Oakes Campus sports practice field. Cansler was taken into custody without incident and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Felon, Evading in a Motor Vehicle, Lights-Defective Brake Light, and a Felony Warrant of Arrest for Evading in a Motor Vehicle. Officers located two loaded firearms in the vehicle.
“Gone to Farr”
The second incident occurred just before 8:00 p.m. when members of the Department’s Gang Unit directed a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Joseph Holt near 19th and Farr. Holt refused to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued throughout the neighborhood until it was called off due to safety reasons. Shortly after the pursuit was terminated, officers happened upon Holt’s vehicle traveling westbound on 17th Street at a very low-speed until it came to rest after striking a fixed object in the Christian Fellowship Baptist parking lot. After police discovered Holt had abandoned the vehicle, which was occupied by a pregnant female and two unsecured toddlers (ages 2 and 4), a perimeter was quickly established. Soon after, officers located Holt attempting to flee the area and he was taken into custody after a brief pursuit. Holt, who had a Motion to Revoke Warrant of Arrest for Felony Theft, was additionally charged with Evading Arrest with Vehicle, Abandon Endanger Child Criminal Negligence X2, and Felony Enhanced Evading Arrest-Prior Convictions. The pregnant woman and two children were not injured.
“STOPSTICKS & Honeysuckle”
The third incident occurred just after 1:45 a.m. this morning when officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle at 19th and North Bryant. The vehicle’s driver, 58-year-old Samuel Tomme, refused to stop and a low-speed vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended near the 3800 block of Honeysuckle Lane after officers successfully deployed STOPSTICKS, which caused Tomme’s tires to deflate. Tomme, who refused to follow commands and exit the vehicle, was extracted by officers who were able to gain entry via glass break.
Tomme was charged with Evading Arrest Detention with Vehicle as well as two Motion to Revoke Warrants of Arrest for Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 and Bail Jumping/Failure to Appear Felony.
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26-year-old Deborah Ramirez of San Angelo has been charged with Aggravated Assault Causes Serious Bodily Injury in connection to a stabbing that occurred at a residence in the 500 block of East Harris Avenue Thursday (09/17/20) afternoon.
Police were initially dispatched to the area of Poe and East Harris after a City of San Angelo worker located a woman who was bleeding from the chest walking west towards Shannon Medical Center.
The victim, a 40-year-old San Angelo woman, was located by a Good Samaritan near the Food King parking lot on North Main Street and transported to Shannon Medical Center where she underwent surgery from an apparent stab wound. The woman is said to be in critical condition.
Unsure of the location of the incident, officers canvassed the area and eventually located a blood trail, which led them to the residence on East Harris where Ramirez and three other occupants were located and detained.
Officers later executed a search warrant at the residence. In addition to locating the crime scene, police discovered a fifth occupant hiding in a bedroom closet. The subject, identified as 37-year-old Annalecia Carrillo, was taken into custody for a Parole Warrant.
Ramirez was formally charged following an interview with members of the Department’s Criminal Investigations Division.
This is an ongoing investigation and no additional information is available for release.
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On Thursday, September 17, 2020, San Angelo Police were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Allen Street for the report of an armed suspect who forced his way inside a house and assaulted the resident.
Upon arrival, officers located the victim, a 48-year-old San Angelo woman, who was bleeding and visibly shaken. Officers learned that the armed-suspect, an acquaintance of the victim identified as 27-year-old Whitney Darby, had arrived at the house and demanded to be let in. When entry was refused, Darby forced entry through the locked front door and assaulted the victim while displaying a firearm.
A responding officer spotted Darby near the 400 block of Porter Street and attempted to take him into custody but Darby refused the commands and a foot pursuit ensued. Darby was eventually taken into custody near Bird Street and Webb Street.
During the investigation, police discovered a recently- reported stolen white Hyundai Sonata in a nearby alleyway where Darby was named as a potential suspect as well as another nearby residence with evidence of forced entry.
Subsequent to the lengthy field-investigation, Darby was charged with Burglary of Habitation with Intend Other Felony, Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle, Harassment of Public Servant (By expectorate), and Evading Arrest Detention. Darby also had an outstanding warrant of arrest for Going Off Bond-Abandon Endanger Child.
In addition to the aforementioned charges, Darby is a suspect in at least two other recent felonious crimes and additional charges are forthcoming pending the outcome of those ongoing investigations.
Additional information will be released when it becomes available.
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Detectives with the San Angelo Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division are seeking information about a male suspect who shot a San Angelo resident at MLK Park around 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2020.
The preliminary investigation revealed the victim, a 42-year-old man, was engaged in a verbal altercation with the suspect near the roadway just prior to the shooting. The suspect is alleged to have fled south on Martin Luther King Drive in a vehicle prior to officer arrival. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
If you have any information about the suspect(s) identity or whereabouts, please call (325) 657-4264. If any member of the public or business owner has a video surveillance recording or cell phone video of the shooting incident or footage from 9:45 p.m. through 10:30 p.m. (on MLK Drive from W. 23rd to W. 19th), please contact the Criminal Investigations Division at (325) 657-4264. You can submit your video footage directly to
https://sanangelopdtx.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/mlkparkshootinginvestigation.
This is an ongoing investigation.
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The San Angelo Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is asking the public for help in identifying an arson suspect.
On August 18, 2020, the pictured male suspect intentionally started a “distraction fire” at the Dollar General located at 4214 College Hills Boulevard before fleeing the store with stolen property.
The suspect appears to be Hispanic. Also visible in the video is a tattoo of a (possible) star on his right upper arm. Other tattoos can be seen on the inside of his right and left upper biceps.
If you have any information about the suspect’s identity or whereabouts please contact Detective J. Chegwidden at (325) 659-8019. To remain anonymous, tip online at http://bit.ly/SAPDTips247 or by text: text TIP SAPD to 888777 and follow the prompts.
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September 4, 2020 – Just after 1:25PM, the San Angelo Police Department was dispatched to the area of Celebration Bridge located at 349 S. Oakes in regards to a possible body in the water. Upon officers arrival they discovered a deceased subject and the Criminal Investigation Division was contacted to respond. The Lake Division along with the Crime Scene Unit responded to assist with the investigation and to recover the deceased. This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be provided when it becomes available.
If anyone has information about this incident, please contact the Criminal Investigations Division at (325) 657-4264. To remain anonymous, tip online at http://bit.ly/SAPDTips247 or by text: text TIP SAPD to 888777 and follow the prompts.
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The San Angelo Police Department is investigating multiple incidents related to several viral social media posts concerning two white males who are allegedly attempting to lure children into a red older-model Ford Ranger pickup truck as well as several posts inciting physical retaliation against the men.
Yesterday, the Department received several reported sightings of the men and truck from the viral social media posts in and around various locations in San Angelo. Our officers responded to each reported sighting. Both men, who appear to be suffering from an unknown cognitive impairment, were located and identified and investigations into the reported incidents ensued.
In a possible act of so-called vigilante justice, one of the accused men, age 41, was assaulted late last night at a local gas station during an altercation with three men who recognized him from the viral posts. The man was later treated for a broken jaw. The suspects have not been located. The incident is under investigation.
To date, officers have spoken with several complainants who alleged the two men have been acting suspiciously and following children and women; however, no incidents of attempted abduction have been reported.
Although none of the reported local incidents have risen to a violation of Texas law thus far, we can assure you that the safety and welfare of our citizens is paramount and our officers are exploring every possible avenue within legal guidelines to halt the activity.
We cannot stress enough the importance of reporting suspicious behavior when it is occurring. Sometimes, people are reluctant to call 911 about behavior that they feel is suspicious or they choose to post on social media before calling authorities. The San Angelo Police Department wants to remind our citizens that reporting suspicious activity immediately can help police prevent or interrupt crime.
The Department is also cautioning members of the public to refrain from approaching the men and taking matters into their own hands.
If you or someone you know has had a recent encounter with the men, please contact the San Angelo Police Department as soon as possible at (325) 657-4315 to file an incident report.
These are ongoing investigations and more information will be released when it becomes available.
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On Saturday, August 29, 2020, Detectives with the San Angelo Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division were called to the 300 block of South Oakes Street to investigate a drowning incident involving a 40-year-old San Angelo transient man. The incident was reported around 2:30 p.m.
San Angelo Police and Fire Department personnel located the unresponsive man near Celebration Bridge. Justice of the Peace Susan Werner officially pronounced the man deceased.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, later identified as 40-year-old Thomas Pike, had been drinking with a group of transients on the north side of the river before he went swimming and reportedly drowned.
Foul play is not suspected. This is an ongoing investigation and no other information is available for release at this time.
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