Press Releases
There were several reports of a threatening post in social media involving clowns and Lake View High School yesterday. The San Angelo Police Department is working cooperatively with the school district on this issue. At this time, no clowns have been sighted and no threats were made by clowns. This was not a credible threat. The SAPD and the District will continue to work together to maintain a safe learning environment for students.
Nationally, several people have been arrested in recent weeks for making false clown threats and they face serious consequences. Whether made against an individual or an entire school, these types of threats are against the law. Any person may be charged with “Terroristic Threat” if they are found to have threatened to commit any offense involving violence to any person or property with intent to:
- cause a reaction of any type to his threat by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with emergencies;
- place any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury;
- prevent or interrupt the occupation or use of a building, room, place of assembly, place to which the public has access, place of employment or occupation, aircraft, automobile, or other form of conveyance, or other public place;
- cause impairment or interruption of public communications, public transportation, public water, gas, or power supply or other public service;
- place the public or a substantial group of the public in fear of serious bodily injury; or
- influence the conduct or activities of a branch or agency of the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state.
Offenses under these subsections of Terroristic Threat range from Class B Misdemeanor to Third Degree Felony.
Any person who uses the name or persona of another person without their consent and with intent to harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten any person, creates a web page on a commercial social networking site, or Internet website, or, sends any messages by any electronic means with the same intent is considered Online Impersonation. Offenses range from Class A Misdemeanor to Third Degree Felony — charges that can potentially ruin chances for entry into institutes of higher education or prevent licensure and/or disqualify persons from certain occupations.
It should also be known that persons who make a false [clown] report to a peace officer or law employment employee with intent to deceive, is a Class B Misdemeanor.
We ask that parents and guardians discuss this topic with their children so they understand the legal consequences of these crimes.
The San Angelo Police Department will carefully review any perceived threat and investigate incidents on a case by case basis to ensure the safety of the community.
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Yesterday morning, San Angelo Police Chief Frank Carter and K-9 Sergeant Chris Cimino accepted $414.00 — a healthy portion of money which will benefit the Department’s K-9 Unit. The funds were raised during Royal Estates of San Angelo’s summer long campaign, “We Support U”, geared to show support for local first responders.
In September, the Royal Estates community concluded the campaign with a cook book and bake sale event sponsored in part by Chick-fil-A, Intrepid Home Health, Kindred Hospice, Community Hospital, and Sam’s Club. The community event provided food, drinks, and interaction with Police and Fire Department personnel and their vehicles.
Profits from the campaign’s events totaled $828, which Royal Estates divided amongst the San Angelo Fire and Police Departments.
“On behalf of Vader and the K-9 Unit, and the San Angelo Police Department, we’re honored for your generosity and donation”, said Chief Carter, “it’s such a privilege and honor to serve in such a community as San Angelo because of the support we have from the residents.” (https://youtu.be/o9fbPbjWafw)
In addition to the cook book and bake sale, Royal Estates hosted a pancake breakfast with all the trimmings, a special meal for their retired law enforcement residents, and a painting session called ‘Brushed by the Heart’ with Mary Kaye Cockrell.
Before the check presentation, K9 Vader visited with Royal Estates residents and staff members — some brave enough to play tug-of-war with Vader’s coveted Kong toy.
The Department will utilize the money to assist with the K-9 Unit’s operating costs, which has four certified teams. For more information about the Department’s K-9 Unit visit http://bit.ly/SAPDK9Unit.
The San Angelo Police Department has identified the victims involved in Friday’s drowning near Lake Nasworthy as 61-year-old Ronald Strain and his four-year-old grandson, Braxton Jewel.
At approximately 6:16 p.m. on October 21, 2016, San Angelo Public Safety Communications received a call about a possible dead body in the water near the lake’s Spillway, 1800 Beaty Road. The location is on the low side of Lake Nasworthy.
Lake Officer T. Berrie responded to the location and met with the caller, who said he came to the area to fish when he noticed what appeared to be a body in the water.
Upon further inspection, Officer Berrie located a second body at the shoreline close to an area of moss-covered rocks that are partially submerged in shallow, flowing water. Evidence at the scene indicates the victims likely slipped and fell into the water while attempting to cross the moss-covered rocks.
Officer Berrie initiated a recovery operation, requesting assistance from the Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, Crime Scene Investigations, and San Angelo Fire Department personnel. Justice of the Peace Judge Fred Buck responded and formally pronounced both victims deceased with the approximate time of death as 1:00 p.m. The victims were later transported to Lubbock for autopsy.
Just before 7:00 p.m., Strain’s daughter called Police dispatch to report she was concerned about her father, who failed to pick her up from work. Her concern grew after she noticed fishing equipment missing from the home and said neither her father nor her nephew [Jewel] knew how to swim.
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At approximately 1:45 p.m. yesterday, members of the San Angelo Department’s Patrol, Street Crimes and Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant at a residence in the 400 block of N. Jefferson.
The warrant, issued by 119th Judicial District Court Judge Ben Woodward, named 30-year-old Anthony James Ivanek to be in possession of a quantity of stolen property. Ivanek, who had an outstanding warrant for Burglary of a Building, was located outside the residence and arrested. Another man, identified as 23-year-old Nathaniel David Hibbens, was located and arrested for an outstanding warrant for Theft of Property.
During the search, Investigators located and seized a quantity of stolen property tied to several recent burglaries of local storage units.
At the conclusion of the operation, Ivanek and Hibbens were interviewed and transported to the Tom Green County Jail.
Prior to this search, additional stolen property tied to Ivanek was located during two other operations and Investigators expect to obtain more warrants in conjunction with this ongoing investigation. Additional suspects are currently under investigation.
The San Angelo Police Department is advising citizens who rent storage units to check on your property and file a police report if you have been victimized.
Crime Scene Investigations assisted the operation.
Ivanek Hibbens
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A 26-year-old San Angelo man who attempted to sell stolen merchandise on Facebook was arrested last night at a residence in the 100 block of West Avenue D.
Just before 10:00 p.m. on October 18, Officers took a burglary of a building report at the Freedom Mini-Storage facility located at 910 W. 29th Street. Victims advised the reporting Officer that several pieces of music equipment were stolen from their unit. The property was valued at just over $4,400.
Just before midnight last night, Police were dispatched to meet the burglary victims who said they recognized their stolen property in a Facebook advertisement and made arrangements to meet the seller, listed as Cory Valadez, at the residence on W. Avenue D.
Officers proceeded to W. Avenue D in an attempt to locate Valadez and observed a man who matched Valadez’s description exiting a white Ford Mustang with a black hood. The man was detained and confirmed to be Cory Joe Valadez.
While on scene, Officers observed some of the suspected stolen music equipment through a house window. The property matched the items that Valadez posted for sale on Facebook and a Search Warrant for the property was obtained.
During the search, Officers located several pieces of the stolen music equipment, which was later released to the victims. Other items suspected of being stolen property were seized and tagged into evidence.
Valadez was transported to Police Headquarters for questioning and subsequently arrested for Burglary of a Building and transported to the Tom Green County Jail.
A female identified as 59-year-old Sylvia Rodriguez was arrested at the scene for interfering with the investigation and refusing to cooperate with official orders. Rodriquez was charged with Interference with Public Duties and transported to the Tom Green County Jail.
This is an ongoing investigation and Detective Noel Anderson is the lead Investigator on the case.
The San Angelo Police Department cautions citizens about the potential sale of stolen items through social media ads and advises citizens to never take matters into their own hands by confronting suspected thieves in person if you locate your stolen property online. Call the Police. It’s not worth risking your life.
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