Press Releases
One adult and three juveniles are facing multiple charges after an early morning investigation into reports of gunfire, a vehicle crash, and vehicle burglaries near Lake Nasworthy.
Just before 6:00 a.m. this morning, San Angelo Police were dispatched to the 1800 block of South Concho Drive for the report of shots fired. Upon arrival, police searched the area but were initially unable to locate any victims or evidence of damaged property.
At approximately 6:13 a.m., police were dispatched to the 3700 block of Country Club Road in reference to a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, police discovered an unoccupied 1999 Mitsubishi Galant, disabled in the trees. During an examination of the vehicle, police discovered several items that appeared to be stolen property along with spent shell casings and a handgun holster. Witnesses at the crash scene identified themselves to police and said that just prior to the crash; they observed the Galant's occupants burglarize their vehicle in the 100 block of Las Lomas and that after they confronted the suspects, the suspects drove off in the Galant. The victims followed the Galant in an attempt to get the license plate for police, but backed off from the Galant after one of the suspects allegedly fired rounds at them from the vehicle. No one was injured.
A short time later, police located the alleged burglary suspects near the boat ramp on Beaty Road. When officers attempted to detain them, one male ran away but was quickly taken into custody. The three other suspects were taken into custody without incident. Detectives with the Department's Criminal Investigations Division and the Crime Scene Investigations Unit responded to the scene to further the investigation. It was discovered that one of the males, later identified as Jose E. Romero (DOB 12-21-94), was the registered owner of the Galant.
As officers were conducting the two investigations, Dispatch received additional burglary calls from victims in the 100 block of Las Lomas. The reported stolen items matched the descriptions of the items located in the Galant.
So far, investigators have cleared four vehicle burglaries and returned the stolen property to their respective owners. If you live in that area and discover your vehicle was burglarized sometime during the night or early morning hours, please contact the San Angelo Police Department at 325-657-4315 to make a report. Additional recovered stolen property will remain in evidence until it has been identified.
Romero and the juveniles were charged with four counts of Burglary of a Motor Vehicle. The 14-year-old, who had been previously reported as a missing juvenile, was also charged with Evading Arrest/Detention. One 16-year-old was additionally charged with Class B Possession of Marijuana.
This is an ongoing investigation.
***SAPD***
The San Angelo Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating witnesses to last week's fatal crash.
Investigators have learned of potential witnesses who may have photographs or video of the incident that occurred around 10:30 p.m. on August 9 near 19th and Marx Streets.
If you were a witness to the crash or the events following the crash, or know of potential witnesses, please contact the Department's Hit and Run Investigator, Officer Steven Quade, at 325-657-4253.
***SAPD***
Vehicle Pedal Cyclist Accident
On August 12, 2014, at approximately 10:00 pm, San Angelo Police responded to the intersection of Sunset Drive and Knickerbocker Road for a vehicle verses pedal cyclist accident. Upon arrival, officers observed a Black 2014 Chevrolet Impala and a pedal cyclist in the roadway. The Chevrolet was occupied by a 44 year old driver identified as Grace Garcia of San Angelo. The pedal cyclist was a 15 year old male also from San Angelo. The driver of the Chevrolet was not injured and the pedal cyclist was transported to Shannon Medical Center for serious injuries sustained during the wreck.
Preliminary investigation shows the pedal cyclist traveled south on Sunset across Knickerbocker on a red light. The Chevrolet entered the intersection traveling west on Knickerbocker across Sunset with a green light. The Chevrolet and the pedal cyclist collided in the intersection.
The San Angelo Police Department Motor Section is still currently investigating the accident at this time and additional details will be released as they become available.
Thousands of homes were affected by power outages after a dump truck snagged a power line attached to an electric tower yesterday near 3800 block of South Jackson Street. Residents who were home without power were not the only ones affected? with traffic signal lights not working, drivers were also unsure of what to do.
San Angelo Public Safety Communications handled 143 incoming calls during that outage, which lasted about an hour and a half. The majority of those incoming calls were related to the outage and not requests for emergency response. This influx of unnecessary calls caused a delay in response to callers who were in real need of public safety intervention.
Following the incident, San Angelo Police issued Nixle alerts advising the public not to call 9-1-1 to report the outage and to inform drivers about what traffic rules to obey when signal lights are not functioning.
"Please refrain from calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line to dispatch to report power outages or to ask when power will be restored. The call takers and dispatchers do not have access to that information nor can they expedite power being restored to residents. 9-1-1 is for emergencies only and we need to keep lines open so we can provide assistance to residents who are truly in need.? ? San Angelo Police Chief, Tim Vasquez.
What incidents are considered emergencies? An emergency is any serious situation where a law enforcement officer, fire fighter, or emergency medical help is needed right away.
Who should citizens call to report a power outage?
- Contact your local power provider at the Customer Service number listed on your bill. Save the number to your contacts for future reference.
Guidelines for traffic rules during an outage:
- Treat each traffic light as a four-way stop, with the driver on the right having the right-of-way.
- Proceed with caution only when traffic permits.
- Enter intersections only when it is safe to do so, using turn signals to let other motorists know your intentions.
- Use extreme caution in school zones.
- As always, yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Watch out for and obey police officers directing traffic within intersections.
The San Angelo Police Department is asking you to share this information with friends and family. Let's work together to keep emergency lines open for emergencies.
***SAPD***
A San Angelo Police Officer who followed up on a suspicious encounter is credited for locating two suspects involved in local Forgery cases.
James Christopher Carter (DOB 10-09-68) and Valerie Gilchrest (DOB 10-06-80) of San Angelo were arrested this morning on charges of Forgery Financial Instrument and Fail to Identity Giving False Information.
The pair became the subject of a Police Broadcast Message issued by a San Angelo Police Officer who encountered the pair during an unrelated call just after midnight this morning. During the unrelated call, Officer R. Francis became aware that he was being watched by the pair, who had just exited a UHaul Van at the Stripes Convenience store located at 1542 S. Bell Street.
At the completion of his call, Officer Francis acted on his instinct and researched the shift's incident reports. While reading the report of a Forgery/ Counterfeit that occurred in the 300 block of Koberlin Street, he noted the suspect's descriptions matched the descriptions of the suspicious subjects who were watching him, including the suspect's use of a UHaul Van. Officer Francis issued a Police Broadcast Message, alerting other officers of the possible connection.
Shortly after, SAPD K-9 Officer J. Fincher located a subject who matched the description sent out in broadcast message in the unit block of W. Avenue P, standing near a UHaul Van. Additional officers responded to the location and Carter and Gilchrest, who both initially provided false information to police about their identities, were detained.
During the field investigation, police observed printers and papers consistent with counterfeiting practices in plain view inside the van. During a probable cause search of the van, police recovered additional items used in the counterfeiting process as well as evidence linking the pair to another recent Forgery report.
Investigators with the San Angelo Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division and Crime Scene Investigations Unit responded to the location to assist with the investigation. The counterfeiting items were seized and the vehicle was processed for evidence.
Carter and Gilchrest are suspected of being linked to several additional Forgery investigations and additional charges may be filed.
This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be released when it becomes available.
***SAPD***
Carter
Gilchrest