Press Releases
December 7, 2018 — This afternoon, members of the Department’s Anti-Crime Unit located a wanted subject, 27-year-old Joseph Michael Garcia, operating a stolen grey 2017 Ford Edge near Chadbourne and West Avenue L.
Officers attempted to detain Garcia; however, Garcia fled on foot and a brief foot pursuit ensued. Garcia was taken into custody without further incident in the 1500 block of S. Irving and transported to Police Department Headquarters for interview.
As a result of the interview, Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division have linked Garcia to several ongoing investigations involving stolen vehicles, vehicle burglaries, and thefts throughout San Angelo. Several of the related incidents that were captured on surveillance videos have been circulating on social media.
Garcia was later booked into the Tom Green County Jail on charges of 3rd Degree Felony Theft, Evading Arrest/Detention, and a warrant for Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle. Additional charges are forthcoming pending the outcome of these ongoing investigations.
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On December 3, 2018, members of the SAPD Street Crimes Division applied for and executed a search warrant in the 400 block of East 22nd Street.
The search yielded approximately 8 grams of heroin along with items that are consistent with narcotic distribution.
Debbie Gaitan, 48, was arrested and charged with Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 1, 4-200 grams.
The Sendero Drilling Yard located at 3855 North U.S. Highway 67 has been the victim of several thefts over recent weeks.
The perpetrators are responsible for stealing copper wire and causing damage to Sendero’s property and drilling rigs.
If you have any information about these thefts or the identity or whereabouts of the suspects please call Detective Jake Russell at (325) 659-8016. To remain anonymous, tip online at http://bit.ly/SAPDTips247 or by text: text TIP SAPD to 888777 and follow the prompts.
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November 29, 2018 — Just after 5:00 a.m. this morning, San Angelo Police were dispatched to the 1500 block of W. Avenue D for the report of a suspicious vehicle.
The caller advised that they had gone out to their vehicle and discovered it had been burglarized and then noticed a suspicious vehicle parked across the street. The victim then discovered the driver of that suspicious vehicle was asleep and the victim’s stolen property was in the front seat.
Officers arrived and discovered the suspicious vehicle, a red 2011 Toyota Sienna, running and occupied by a young male who was slumped over the wheel. The Officers attempted to wake the driver multiple times but the driver was unresponsive. Upon opening the door, Officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana, shut the vehicle off, and fervently attempted to rouse the driver.
The driver eventually woke up but he did not know where he was due to his level of intoxication. The driver, identified as a 16-year-old San Angelo resident, was also in possession of several pieces of drug paraphernalia.
Officers also discovered that the Toyota Sienna’s registered owner lived a few streets away and was unaware their vehicle had been stolen.
Subsequent to the field investigation the juvenile was charged with Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle, Burglary of Vehicle, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
The stolen property and stolen Sienna were returned to the owners.
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Yesterday, the San Angelo Police Department’s Traffic Section conducted a Traffic Enforcement Operation utilizing LIDAR from noon through 1:40 p.m. in the westbound lanes of the 1700 block of E. Houston Harte.
Following the operation, LIDAR Traffic Enforcement was utilized in the following school zones; Bonham, Bowie, Crockett, Fannin, Glenmore, Holiman, Holy Angels, Lamar, McGill, San Jacinto, and Trinity Lutheran.
A total of one hundred one (101) citations and thirteen (13) warnings were issued during the enforcement operations.
Breakdown for citations:
Houston Harte
Speeding: 43 (Highest speed, 90 MPH)
Other/Misc. Violations: 7
No Insurance: 1
Warnings: 5
No DL: 1
DWLI: 1
School Zones
Other/Misc. Violations: 6
No Insurance: 2
Speeding: 36
Warnings: 8
No DL: 2
DWLI: 2
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