Press Releases

A 27-year-old San Angelo man was arrested Saturday afternoon after he shoplifted and led police on a brief chase.

On January 2, 2016, Officers were dispatched to the Walmart Supercenter located at 5501 Sherwood Way around 4:30 p.m. for the report of male shoplifter who fled the store after he was confronted by Loss Prevention Staff.

While enroute, Officers located a man who matched the suspect's description walking in the 5000 block of Sherwood Way. Officers activated their vehicle's lights and attempted to make contact with the man; however, the man fled across traffic lanes and ran into the field located behind Target.

Police caught up with the suspect and took him into custody without further incident. He was identified as James Davis (DOB 04-27-88).

Davis was charged with Felony Enhanced Theft of Property Two or More Previous Convictions, Felony Enhanced Evading Arrest/Detention with Previous Convictions and Criminal Trespass.

***SAPD***

A San Angelo man, 30 year old Orlando Gatica, was arrested on January 2, 2016 for Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Kidnapping after an incident in the 1000 block of Tarver St.

On January 2, 2016 at 9:25 pm, San Angelo Police were dispatched to a call for a subject with a weapon in the 1000 block of Tarver St. The suspect, Gatica, had left the scene in a blue 2014 Chevrolet pickup prior to Officers arriving on scene. Officers met with one of the victims, Julio Arzeno, who stated he was visiting his son when Gatica pulled in front of the house and threatened to shoot him. Gatica was holding a handgun at the time he made the threat.

While Officers were investigating at the scene of the incident, Gatica was located driving at a high rate of speed in the area. Officers were able to catch up to Gatica in the 200 block of S Browning where he fled on foot. Officers lost sight of Gatica, but he was ultimately located in a shed behind a residence in the 200 block of S Browning. He was taken into custody without incident. While looking for Gatica, Officers located the handgun Gatica had in his possession. The handgun was discovered to be a very realistic BB gun.

A female victim, Makishia Mejia, was located in the vehicle Gatica had been driving. Mejia stated she had been at her residence in the 1000 block of Tarver St when Gatica pulled up and threatened Arzeno. Gatica then told her to get in the car with him or he would shoot the house. Mejia was concerned for the safety of children in the house and got in the vehicle.

Detective Michael Gaeta was called to the scene to continue the investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation, Gatica was transported to the Tom Green County Jail and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Aggravated Kidnapping.

A San Angelo man was arrested Sunday after a violent confrontation with a citizen and police.

Police were dispatched to the area of Edmond Blvd. and Van Buren Street around 3:00 p.m. for the report of a man walking in the street, inhibiting the flow of traffic and yelling at passing vehicles.

Upon arrival, a San Angelo Police Officer located the man who was exhibiting behavior that indicated he may have been under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. The Officer made contact with the man who then became combative towards him. While engaged in the struggle, the Officer used his department issued Taser on the man to gain compliance but the Taser had no effect. Several citizens who witnessed the attack on the Officer attempted to help until backup Officers arrived.

The subject was eventually taken into custody and identified as Timothy S. Swinehart (DOB 05-03-82) of San Angelo.

During the field investigation, Officers learned that prior to their arrival Swinehart confronted and assaulted a man in front of a nearby residence. The victim told Officers he and his child were exiting his residence when Swinehart confronted him. The victim was able to secure the child in his vehicle before Swinehart began his assault. The victim and the child were not injured and the victim did not pursue charges.

Swinehart was transported to the Tom Green County Jail and charged with Public Intoxication and Resisting Arrest Search or Transport.

***SAPD***

Just after 4:00 a.m. this morning, San Angelo Police were dispatched to a residence in the 1500 block of North Street for the report of shots fired. Upon arrival, a young male approached the officers and told them he had been shot. Officers also observed several people physically fighting in the front yard of the residence.

Officers attempted to break up the fights; however, the subjects would not comply and became aggressive. Additional units and nearby Tom Green County Sheriff Deputies arrived to assist with control of the scene. Officers also administered emergency triage to the shooting victim until Medics arrived. The shooting victim, a 15-year-old male from San Angelo, was transported to Shannon Medical Center by ambulance where he was admitted for treatment of gunshot wounds to his arm and hand. His current condition is unknown.

Subsequent to the investigation, Detectives learned the shooting arose from a verbal dispute involving several family members that became physical. At some point during the altercation, one family member retrieved two firearms, allegedly in an attempt to break up the fights. The man's wife, later identified as Sophia Bara (DOB 08-08-81) of San Angelo, grabbed one of the firearms and threatened the family members. The gun then discharged and struck the victim.

Two additional victims were also treated at Shannon Medical Center for minor injuries they sustained in the physical altercation.

Bara was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and transported to the Tom Green County Jail. No other arrests have been made but additional charges may be forthcoming.

This is an ongoing investigation and no further information is available at this time.

***SAPD***

Citizens who possess a current and valid Concealed Handgun License or a new Hand Gun License will be allowed to open carry handguns beginning tomorrow. In addition to having a valid license to carry a handgun, the license holder must carry the handgun in a belt holster or shoulder holster, and be able to present the valid license to a Peace Officer upon request.

Some of the locations where handguns are not permitted to be carried are the physical premises of a school or a school function, school transportation, the secure area of an airport, polling locations on the day of an election or while early voting is in progress, premises of courts or court offices, correctional facilities, hospitals or nursing homes, on the premises of a business where 51% or more of its income is derived from the sale or service of alcohol, and at governmental meetings when it is posted that the carrying of handguns or firearms is prohibited.

In addition to these locations, individual business and property owners can prohibit the carrying of concealed handguns, the carrying of open handguns, or both. Business and property owners can post the notice at the entrance to the premises or give verbal notice. Also, a license holder cannot carry a handgun openly or concealed if they are intoxicated.

The San Angelo Police Department asks citizens to exercise their rights to carry open and concealed handguns responsibly. License holders should ensure they are familiar with sections 30.06, 30.07, 46.03, and 46.035 of the Texas Penal Code to ensure compliance with the law and a full listing of where the open carrying or concealed carrying is prohibited as only a few are listed in this press release.

The SAPD also asks citizens not to interfere with the rights of those who carry handguns openly or concealed, but if you see something suspicious or reckless please call 911.