On January 7, 2018, San Angelo Police received a report about a vehicle burglary that occurred in the 3100 block of Travis Street where a distinct purple-colored handgun and ammunition were stolen from a 2017 Dodge Durango.
On January 8, 2018, members of the Department’s Street Crimes Division acquired a video recording of two male juveniles who were firing what appeared to be the same stolen handgun in a residential neighborhood in North San Angelo. The juveniles pictured in the video were identified by several members of the Department due to past encounters and investigations. Both juveniles are gang members.
On January 9, 2018, San Angelo Police received the report of gang-related graffiti at Central High School. During a review of the school’s surveillance video, Police recognized the graffiti suspects as being the same juveniles who were firing the suspected stolen gun.
Subsequent to the investigations and video evidence, Detectives with the Department’s Street Crimes Division obtained Juvenile Apprehension Orders for the two 15-year-old suspects.
On Wednesday afternoon, January 10, 2018, Members of the Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, Street Crimes Division, and Anti-Crime Unit conducted surveillance of and around a residence in the 300 block of E. 41st Street in an attempt to locate the suspects. One suspect was located near the residence, taken into custody without incident for his Apprehension Order, and transported to the Juvenile Justice Center. During a search of the suspect’s residence, Detectives located ammunition similar to that reported in the vehicle burglary as well as spent shell casings in the area where the suspects were recorded firing the stolen handgun. The second suspect was not located.
A short time later, a San Angelo Police Officer who was heading home for the day observed a teen that resembled the still at large teen suspect, walking near the 2800 block of N. Chadbourne. The Officer attempted to detain and positively identify the subject; however, the subject fled on foot and ran into oncoming traffic, crossing Chadbourne where he was last seen running east through the Dollar General Parking lot located at 2934 N. Chadbourne.
A perimeter was quickly established and soon after, the fleeing teen was located in the unit block of E. 30th Street where he attempted to flee again before he punched a parked vehicle prior to surrendering to Officers. After confirming the teen’s identity, he was arrested for his Apprehension Order and subsequently charged with Evading Detention and Criminal Mischief for his damage to the vehicle. No one was injured in the pursuit; however, one of the Department’s unmarked vehicles sustained minor damage during the pursuit.
This morning, both suspects were interviewed at Police headquarters. Following their interviews and confessions, both suspects were charged [respectively] with Theft of Firearm and Felony Criminal Mischief. Additional charges may be forthcoming pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. The pair is currently in custody at the Juvenile Justice Center.
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