Press Releases

San Angelo Police continue to search for at least two men who robbed Roosters Restaurant employees at gunpoint last night.

On October 29, 2014, at approximately 5:30 p.m., San Angelo Police were dispatched to the Roosters Restaurant located at 2001 W. Harris St. for the report of a robbery.

Upon arrival, police spoke with the employees who said two men wearing masks entered the restaurant and demanded money from them at gunpoint.  Once the suspects collected the cash they left the area on foot.  No injuries were reported by the employees.

Police quickly established a perimeter and canvassed the area for clues and/or witnesses.  SAPD Detectives and CSI arrived on scene to begin the investigation.  There have not been any arrests made in connection with this robbery.

If you have any information about this incident or the identity of the suspects please call Detective Chris Soto at 325-659-8012.  To remain anonymous, call the SAPD's 24 hour Tip Hotline at 1-855-TIPS-247.  You can also text your tips, text TIP SAPD followed by your message, to 888777.  You can submit Tips online at http://local.nixle.com/tip/san-angelo-police-department/

This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be released when it becomes available.

Halloween is a fun and exciting night of the year for many children, but parents may feel uneasy about allowing their children to approach the homes of strangers. The San Angelo Police Department urges parents to use this night as a teachable moment for themselves and their children by reinforcing the importance of safety all year long.

• Consider alternatives to ?trick-or-treating.?  There are several community events, including trunk-or-treat at local fires stations from 6-8pm.
• Children should be accompanied by a parent or trusted adult and walked to the door by the parent to receive treats.  If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas and trick-or-treat in groups.
• Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
• Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses.
• Be sure children do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, and make sure they get away quickly if someone gets out of a vehicle and starts to approach them.  Never accept rides from strangers.
• Make sure your child is able to see and move easily in their costume. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
• Have children carry a flashlight or glow-stick so that they can see more easily.
• Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.
• In case you become separated, make sure your child knows your cell phone number and address. Teach your children how to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.
• Teach your child to say ?NO!? or ?this is not my mother/father? in a loud voice if someone tries to get him or her to go somewhere. Teach your child to kick, scream and resist if someone tries to get him or her to leave. Your child's safety is more important than being polite!

BEFORE NIGHTFALL ON HALLOWEEN:

• Do not permit children to bicycle, roller-blade or skateboard.
• Agree on a specific time when revelers must return home.
• Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.
• Don?t forget your 4-legged friends!  Confine, segregate or otherwise prepare household pets for an evening of frightful sights and sounds.  Be sure that all dogs and cats are wearing collars and proper identification tags.  Consult your veterinarian for further advice.

Today the San Angelo Police Department recognized two civilians for their bravery and service to the San Angelo Police Department and our community.   

San Angelo Police Chief Tim Vasquez honored two San Angelo men during a small ceremony recognizing both for their bravery and service to the community.  The recognition was due to the assistance they provided officers on a call earlier this month.   The officers said the ?Good Samaritan? efforts were needed in dealing with an uncooperative subject that resisted the officers during the call.  Today, officers from all divisions were present to show their appreciation for the two men.   Both men received a certificate of appreciation and an SAPD challenge coin.

On October 8th, 2014 at 12:00 pm San Angelo Police Officers Ratcliffe and Peterson responded to Community Medical Center ER for a suspicious person.  Both Officers made contact with a male subject, Mike Belman, who was behaving erratically and was unable to coherently respond to the Officer's questions.   During the field investigation, Belman ran from police towards the 1st Financial Bank parking lot and entered a vehicle occupied by James Halfast.   Belman resisted violently as Officers tried to pull him from Halfast's vehicle.   Mike McAlpine was also in the bank parking lot and was witness to the incident.   Both McAlpine and Halfast assisted the Officers in removing Belman from the vehicle and getting him restrained.   Belman was taken to Shannon Medical Center in the custody of a Tom Green County Mental Health Deputy.   Chief Vasquez said the timely assistance of Halfast and McAlpine made the difference in safely restraining Belman for transport.

L to R: Vasquez, McAlpine, Halfast Peterson

Two San Angelo men were arrested Saturday after police recover a sizeable amount of Methamphetamine during a traffic stop.

On October 25, 2014, shortly after 2:15 p.m., San Angelo Police Officer E. McAndrews stopped a silver 2005 Cadillac in the 2600 block of the Eastbound Houston Harte Expressway for traffic violations.

During the traffic investigation, the vehicle's front passenger, identified as twenty-one-year-old John R. Ramos, discarded a gray bag from the vehicle.  When Officer McAndrews searched the contents of the bag, he located smaller bags that contained a substance that field-tested positive for a combined weight of approximately 183 grams of Methamphetamine.   

During a search of the vehicle, Officer McAndrews located a small amount of Marijuana and a metal knuckle.  The driver, identified as twenty-three-year-old Mark P. Crawley, was charged with Class B Possession of Marijuana and Possession of a Prohibited Weapon.  Ramos was charged with 2nd Degree Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1.

Ramos and Crawley were transported to the Tom Green County Jail without incident. 

***SAPD***

Ramos, John

Crawley, Mark

A San Angelo Police Officer shot a dog that attempted to attack him and an Animal Control Officer during a call at a northeast San Angelo neighborhood this morning.

Just before 10:30 a.m., San Angelo Police were dispatched to the 700 block of Veck Street for the report of a vicious animal problem where two dogs attempted to attack a man as he exited his vehicle.  Animal Control Officials were also dispatched to the scene.    

Once on scene, a San Angelo Police Officer spoke with the complainant who pointed out two dogs that were in front of a nearby residence.  The man told police the dogs charged him as he exited his pickup truck and narrowly avoided the attack by jumping into the truck's bed.   Police attempts to locate the dogs? owner was unsuccessful. 

Once Animal Control arrived, the officers attempted to locate the dogs, which were no longer in sight.  When the officers attempted to locate the dogs behind a residence, one dog aggressively charged towards the officers from an adjacent yard, forcing the Animal Control Officer to strike the dog on its head with a Catch Pole.  After being struck, the dog circled around a vehicle and aggressively charged the Patrol Officer at which point the Officer drew his service weapon and fired two rounds at the dog.  After the shots were fired, the dog ran away.  Attempts to locate the dog were unsuccessful and it was unknown at the time if the two rounds made contact with the dog.  The second dog was later located hiding underneath a porch, unharmed.  The Officers were not injured during the incident. 

Animal Control Officials contacted the owners and requested their presence at the residence.  Upon their arrival, they found their dog had returned to the residence and was suffering from a gunshot wound to the face.  Animal Control Officials released the dog to the owner and the dog was transported to Los Caballos Veterinary Clinic for treatment.  The dog is reportedly undergoing surgery at this time.   

Prior to today's incident, San Angelo Police and Animal Control Officials have responded to the location multiple times regarding the dogs.  Police believe the dogs were able to leave their yard through a breach in the fence. 

***SAPD***