Press Releases
Residents of San Angelo and the surrounding area are cautioned to be aware of a phishing scam to collect money from fake parking tickets.
With this scam, recipients receive an email that has “Parking Ticket” in the subject line and “You got a parking fine” in the email’s introduction. In the email, a citation number is listed along with a reason for the fine (ex: Parked Obstructing Fire Lane, etc.) and recipients are asked to pay the fine(s) online or over the phone with a Visa or Mastercard. In closing, the email reads, “Best Wishes, Police Department”.
The San Angelo Police Department does not contact citizens about parking violations. Notices of parking violations are only sent by the San Angelo Municipal Court.
San Angelo Municipal Court does not send initial parking notices to violators by email. Only violators who have previous business dealings with Municipal Court (ex: payment plans for warrants, fines, etc.) and who have provided clerks with an email address will receive electronic notifications from the court’s email address ending in “@cosatx.us”. Additionally, legitimate notices of unpaid Parking Tickets from Municipal Court are mailed to the violator’s home address.
Recipients who receive this type of email or similar email should never make contact with the sender or click on any links or attachments. Clicking on links and attachments could also infect your computer with malware aimed at stealing your personal financial information.
Please report such emails to the Federal Trade Commission, which has detailed information for consumers on how to handle phishing scams.
Please share this warning so we can prevent our citizens from becoming victims.
###
Yesterday, San Angelo Police Department employees gathered in the Chief’s Conference room to celebrate the career and retirement of Officer Ed. Hunger, who is leaving the Department after nearly twenty-nine years of service.
Hunger began his career with the Department in August 1988 and attained his Master Peace Officer Certificate in July 1994. At the time of Hunger’s retirement, he had 2,239 hours of training.
Throughout his tenure, Hunger served twenty-one years in the Department’s Patrol Division before his transfer to the Traffic Section in 2009, where he remained as a Motors Officer until his retirement.
Hunger received several awards throughout his career, to include a Life Saving Award after he rescued a female drowning victim at Lake Nasworthy in May 2009. In 1989, Hunger received commendation for his role in the apprehension of two suspects during a burglary, and in 2013, Hunger was recognized by the District Attorney’s Office for his work on the Intoxication Manslaughter/Intoxication Assault case against Carl Bevers.
###
A 36-year-old San Angelo man is facing weapons charges after he sold a prohibited weapon to an undercover San Angelo Police Officer Tuesday evening.
On May 30, 2017, the Department’s Street Crimes Division began investigating claims of a local man who posted a sawed-off shotgun for sale online.
Investigators made arrangements to meet the seller in a local Walmart parking lot and purchase the gun. The suspect, later identified as Tony J. Reyes, unknowingly met with an undercover officer and he was taken into custody immediately following the transaction.
Reyes was charged with Felon in Possession of Firearm and Possession of Prohibited Weapon. He transported to the Tom Green County Jail without incident.
The K-9 Unit assisted with yesterday’s operation.
###
Detectives with the San Angelo Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and Child Crimes Unit are continuing their investigation of an apparent accidental shooting of a child at a residence on E. Harris Avenue Monday night.
Just after 6:00 p.m. on May 22, 2017, San Angelo Police were dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of E. Harris for the report of a shooting victim.
Officers arrived and learned the shooting victim, a 3-year-old male, had been transported by private vehicle to Shannon Medical Center for initial evaluation prior to their arrival. The child was later flown to Cook’s Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas for further treatment. At the time of this release, the child was reported to be in stable condition.
Through investigation it was discovered the victim was in the living room along with several family members when the victim retrieved a loaded handgun from the couch and shot himself in the face. No other family members were injured.
The Department’s Crime Scene Investigations Unit and Child Protective Services also responded to the scene.
This is an active investigation and no further information is available for release. Charges are pending the outcome of this investigation.
###
A 33-year-old San Angelo man is facing several charges after a traffic stop in a northwest San Angelo neighborhood Sunday afternoon.
The traffic stop, initiated by the Department’s Street Crimes Division, occurred in the 1600 block of North Street just after 2:00 p.m. on May 21, 2017.
The driver, identified as Shane L. Van Zandt, had an outstanding Parole Warrant for his arrest and he was reluctant to cooperate with the Officers.
When Officers searched the blue 2010 Honda passenger car Van Zandt was operating they located a quantity of suspected narcotics, which field-tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine. Officers also located marijuana and drug paraphernalia associated with the distribution of narcotics.
Van Zandt was arrested for his outstanding warrant, Felony 2 Manufacture Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, Possession of Marijuana <2OZ, and Possession/Delivery Drug Paraphernalia. Van Zandt was transported to the Tom Green County Jail without incident.
###