Category: Crime

REWARD FOR INFO:
Suspects in Armed Robbery ransacked elderly man’s home, holding him captive for over an hour

Authorities are actively searching for two suspects in the case of an aggravated robbery on Hwy 132 in Natalia last Tuesday, June 21 around 7 pm. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
The suspect reportedly knocked on the door and then forcibly entered the home wearing a bandana over his face, instructing the elderly homeowner to lay face down on the couch for as long as two hours possibly, police said.
“The suspect then ransacked his home, before stealing his vehicle,” said Natalia Police Chief Valerie Naff.
The stolen truck, a 1996 white Toyota Tacoma with a camper shell, was recovered in a BMA canal outside of Lytle this Friday, but the suspects are still on the loose.
The suspects also stole welding equipment, his phone, and various items.
The robbery occurred at a home in the 2100th block of Hwy 132 in Natalia.
“The suspect was described as a thin, Hispanic male,” Chief Naff said. “The victim only saw and heard one person, the suspect did claim there was a second person with him.”
“We are asking for the public’s assistance. Please let us know if you have any information or might have security camera footage in this area,” Naff added.
If you have any information about this crime, you are urged to call the Natalia Police at 210-355-1382 or email police@cityofnatalia.com
Medina County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 REWARD for information leading to the arrest. Crime stoppers can be reached at 1-800-367-2833.
Chief Naff reminds residents, that if you don’t know who is knocking, please do not answer the door.

Prisoner escapee wanted for 5 murders gets in shoot out with police in Atascosa Co

The suspect escaped from a TDCJ bus on May 12.

June 3, 2022–”On the evening of June 2nd, I received information from Investigator Freddy Alvarez with the TDCJ Office of Inspector General, regarding prison escapee Gonzalo A. Lopez. Information provided to the Sheriff’s Office was that Lopez was suspected in the murder of a family of five near Centerville, Texas on June 2nd and had escaped from a TDCJ bus near Centerville on May 12th,” said Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward. “The suspect stole a white Chevrolet pickup truck from the murder victims and the information including the license plate number, was provided by Investigator Alvarez.
I alerted all my deputies and our Communications Center due to the possibility the suspect may be headed to the Rio Grande Valley. A short while later, we received information from the U.S. Marshals Service that Lopez was suspected of being in the San Antonio area. We immediately deployed marked and unmarked units to IH 37, U.S. 281, Texas 16 and IH 35 to be on the lookout for the suspect and vehicle. We also alerted police departments in our county along these routes.
At approximately 9:57 p.m., an Atascosa County investigation and a deputy sheriff spotted the vehicle southbound several miles north of Poteet, on Texas Highway 16. These officers were instructed not to alert the suspect and to tail him until backup officers could get to the Jourdanton area. About one-half mile north of Jourdanton, the Jourdanton Police Chief deployed a tire deflation device and all four of the truck’s tires were spiked. A pursuit ensured and the truck turned on to Spur 162 and then turned into a large open pasture before emerging back on to Texas 16, headed south with several units from multiple agencies in pursuit. Upon entering Jourdanton, the suspect stuck a semi-automatic rifle out the truck’s window and fired shots at pursuing officers. T he truck turned onto Cypress Street and left the roadway and struck a utility pole and got back onto the street and lost control striking a chain-link fence and a utility pole guy wire anchor. The suspect exited the stolen pickup truck armed with a rifle and handgun and reportedly fired at officers. Four Atascosa County officers, three from the Sheriff’s Office, returned fire. The suspect was hit by gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene. One law enforcement vehicle was struck in the top corner of the windshield by a round fired by the suspect.
The scene and shooting is being investigated by Company F Texas Rangers.
Agencies participating in the pursuit and apprehension of Lopez were, Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office, Jourdanton Police Department, Pleasanton Police Department, Atascosa County ACA, Constable Pct. 3, Texas Ranger – Jourdanton, Texas Highway Patrol, U.S. Marshals Service, Texas DPS.
The body of the suspect was sent to a medical examiner for an autopsy.
No dash camera or body camera video is available at this time citing that the case is under investigation.

President Biden visits Uvalde in wake of shooting

Congressman Tony Gonzales and President Joe Biden discussing the issues, days after the second-deadliest school shooting in US history occurred in Uvalde, Texas this past Tuesday, May 24.

UVALDE, TX – Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) today released the following statement after President Joe Biden’s visit to Uvalde following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School last week:
“Today, I welcomed the President of the United States to my district to grieve with the Uvalde community,” said Congressman Gonzales. “While joining in prayer and mourning with the victims’ families, we had an open, honest conversation about the realities this community is facing and will continue to face if significant investments are not made in Texas.
Improving access to in-patient behavioral and mental healthcare, strengthening inter agency communication and response time, and expanding rural broadband for tele-health are a few of the solutions I proposed today. I look forward to leading a comprehensive strategy with my colleagues in Congress, the Executive Branch, and anyone willing to work for solutions, so we can heal this community and prevent another senseless tragedy.”
Congressman Gonzales joined President Biden for a visit to Robb Elementary School, mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and meetings with first responders.

Smuggler crashes into elderly woman’s home;
12-14 people bail and run through her house to escape

Authorities said the woman in her 80’s was knocked over as illegal immigrants bailed out inside her home. Of the estimated 12-14, seven were captured.

MEDINA COUNTY–A pursuit that began on I-35 ended up in a scary incident as a smuggler’s truck crashed into the home of an elderly woman this past Tuesday, April 12.
“The vehicle crashed through the garage door, pushed a pool table through a sliding glass door, and then 12-14 illegal immigrants bailed out and started running through the house,” Sheriff Randy Brown said.
“We believe they knocked her over, and the homeowner was checked out by EMS, “ Sheriff Brown said. “It’s really sad what’s happening. We used to have a few chases a year, and now we have them every day. Thankfully this woman in her 80’s wasn’t injured, but it could have been really bad.”
The chase came off of I-35 and then went up the access road near Love’s before heading down a long driveway leading to the woman’s home outside Natalia. Seven of the estimated 12-14 illegal immigrants were captured and turned over to Border Patrol. Unfortunately the smuggler was able to escape.
“These smugglers and IA’s are destroying property every day, stealing vehicles and running through fences, crashing through gates,” Sheriff Brown said.
And he notes, that Medina County has already seen two fatalities this year from pursuits of smugglers.
“There was a fatality in a chase that went out past Calame Store a few months ago near Devine, and there was also a roll over that happened in Hondo near the Cowboy Church a few months ago that ended in a fatality,” Sheriff Brown said.

Lytle Police Report 4/13/22

Monday April 4
2:52 AM – Main St. @ Benton St. – Officer initiated a traffic stop for speeding that resulted in the arrest of a 34-year-old man for an active warrant out of McMullen County for Driving with an Invalid License (Class B Misdemeanor).
3:46 AM – (15300 Blk. Main St.) – Officer responded for an active alarm. The business was secure.
3:55 AM – IH 35 N. @ Bexar County Line – Officer responded to assist with a traffic stop a deputy initiated on a stolen vehicle. A search resulted in the discovery of a bag of Methamphetamine and a meth pipe. The suspect was arrested by the deputy.
10:35 AM – (19200 BLK. N. Somerset St.) – Officer responded for a report of a lock cut off a storage unit. The complainant was unable to determine what was stolen.
11:00 AM – IH 35 Northbound – Officer responded for a Dodge ram pickup driving recklessly. The officer patrolled the area and was unable to locate the vehicle.
12:35 PM – 15700 Blk. Old Frio City Rd. – Officer was patrolling when a dog ran into the roadway resulting in the officer striking the dog. The dog’s owner was notified. The dog was only injured and the owner took possession of the dog.
2:33 PM – IH 35 Northbound – Officer responded for a report of a stolen Chrysler 200 last seen at MM 119. The officer was unable to locate the vehicle.
3:20 PM – (18900 Blk. FM 2790) – Officer responded for an accidental 911 call.
3:30 PM – (19300 Blk. McDonald St.) – Officer responded for a dog in a vehicle. The windows were rolled partially down, and the dog was okay.
4:05 PM – (19300 Blk. McDonald St.) – Officer responded to unlock a 2019 Chevrolet traverse.
5:50 PM – 300 Blk. FM 3175 – Officer spoke to a person requesting to be on the lookout for her dog.
Tuesday April 5
3:23 AM – McDonald St. @ IH 35 – Officer initiated a traffic stop that resulted in the detainment of a 40 year-old-male that had an active warrant out of Frio County for criminal mischief. The warrant was not confirmed and the male was released.
10:55 AM – Funeral Escort – St. Andrews Catholic Church (14800 Blk. Main St.) – Officers provided traffic control to the Lytle Community Cemetery.
11:50 AM – Laredo St. @ Easy St. – Officer responded for a report of a suspicious person. Everything was okay.
3:01 PM – 19500 Blk. Diamond B Trail – Officer responded to an active alarm. The residence was secure.
4:00 PM– 18700 Blk. Wisdom Rd. – Officer responded for a report of identity theft. The case is under investigation.
7:11 PM– IH 35 MM 125 – Officers responded and was unable to locate the vehicle.
9:26 PM – IH 35 NB @ FM 3175 – Officers responded for a barricade that had been moved after the underpass was blocked. The barricade was moved to block the lanes.
Wednesday April 6
12:45 AM – IH 35 SB MM 131 – Officer responded for a report of an 18 wheeler that was driving recklessly and possible striking a guardrail. No damage to the guardrails were found.
10:44 AM – (14900 Blk. Main St.) – Officer unlocked a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado.
2:55 PM – 14600 Blk. Main St. – Officer responded and was unable to locate the male.
7:55 PM – 130 Blk. CR 6843 – Officers responded for a female assaulted by a male. The 57-year-old male was arrested for Assault Bodily Injury (Class A Misdemeanor).
11:08 PM – (15200 Blk. Main St.) – Officers responded for a man refusing to leave the location. The male was given a courtesy ride to his residence.
11:23 PM – (Main St.) – Officers responded for a man that drove his Jeep into the gate of the store. A 56-year-old male was arrested for Duty on Striking Structure, Fixture, or Highway Landscaping (Class B Misdemeanor).
Thursday April 7
3:05 AM – (19500 Blk. McDonald St.) – Officers responded for a report of a man being harassed by his girlfriend. The female agreed to stop. The male was provided with a courtesy ride to his residence.
9:33 AM – 15400 Blk. Lake St. – Officer spoke to a female reporting a male parking in the front of her residence in a gray Chevrolet Colorado for the past 2 weeks. Additional patrols were requested.
10:01 AM – 19600 Benton City Rd. – Complainant reported that someone opened an account in her name at Bank of America.
10:35 AM – 15200 Blk. Main St. – Officer received a wallet found in the roadway. The wallet will be returned to the owner.
12:05 PM – (19200 Blk. N. Somerset St.) – Officer spoke to the victims at the PD that said the storage unit was broken into. The incident occurred within the last month.
3:00 PM – (15300 Blk. Oak St.) – Officer responded for the death of a 59 year-old-male.
3:42 PM – 18800 Blk. Wisdom Rd. – Report of a $500 stereo system taken from his vehicle. A family member took the item.
6:32 PM – (14900 Main St.) – Officers responded for an active alarm.
6:35 PM – 19585 IH 35 – Officer responded to unlock a 2004 Ford Mustang.
7:25 PM – 18800 Blk. Wisdom Rd. – Officer responded for the brother of the victim kicking in the front door attacking his brother. The attacker had fled the scene. This is related to the earlier vehicle burglary call.
7:14 PM – John Lott Park – Officers responded for a report of a people smoking marijuana in a vehicle. A 17-year-old male was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 2 < 1G (State Jail Felony) and a 32-year-old female was arrested for Tampering with Evidence and Resisting Arrest (3rd Degree Felony & Class A Misdemeanor).
8:50 PM – (14800 Blk. Main St.) – Officer responded to unlock a vehicle.
9:20 PM – Ball Rd. & 14700 Blk. Railroad St. – Officer responded for a report of a weapon being fired on Railroad St. Unable to locate.
11:41 PM – (19300 Blk. McDonald St.) – Officer responded for an active alarm. The business was secure.
Friday April 8
5:20 AM – N. Prairie St. @ Cottage St. – It was determined to be a milk truck waiting on the school to open for delivery.
8:50 AM – Lytle Football Field Stadium – Officer responded for a suspicious male in the stands. The male was provided a courtesy ride to Wisdom Rd.
9:47 AM – (18900 Blk. FM 2790 N.) – Officer responded for an upset parent. Upon arrival, everything was okay.
10:50 AM – (15000 Blk. Main St.) – Officer responded for an old occupant using the dumpster. The other party was contacted and agreed to stop dumping their trash into the receptacle.
11:45 AM – Mesquite St. – Welfare requested on a male walking his dogs, all was okay.
2:24 PM – 19300 Blk. Blume Dr. – Officer responded for a report of an open fire.
5:23 PM – Phone Call (Lytle PD) – Officer received a call in regard to an incident that occurred outside the city limits.
5:29 PM – (14800 Blk. Lytle-Somerset St.) – Officer received a phone call in reference to a lost wallet at the McDonald’s.
9:11 PM – 18700 Blk. Wisdom Rd. – Officers responded to assist EMS.
Saturday April 9
12:30 AM – (15300 Blk. Main St.) – Officers responded for an active alarm. The business was secure.
2:03 AM – 15000 Blk. Mesquite St. – Officers responded for a report of a runaway juvenile.
8:32 AM – Oak St. & Davis St. – Officer responded for a report of a leaking fire hydrant. Public Works was notified.
9:35 AM – John Lott Park – Officer responded for a damaged partition and a fire that was lit in the water fountain.
11:24 AM – (19200 Blk. N. Somerset St.) – Officer responded for a verbal disturbance.
12:30 PM – (14800 Blk. Lytle-Somerset St.) – Officer observed a mother and child panhandling. The mother agreed to leave the area.
3:25 PM – (McDonald St) – Officers responded for a report of keys taken off the counter at the Burger King. The complainant was left stranded after another customer accidentally picked up his keys.
7:18 PM – 15200 Blk. Oak St. – Officers responded for an intoxicated man. A 43-year-old male was arrested for Public Intoxication.
7:32 PM – IH 35 @ McDonald St. – Officer responded for a stranded motorist. The motorist had a tow truck in route.
Sunday April 10
12:30 PM – (14600 Blk. FM 2790 W.) – Officer responded for a suspicious vehicle. Everything was okay.
2:25 PM – John Lott Park – Officer responded to assist with a patient having a medical emergency.
3:00 PM – 19600 Blk. Gray St. – Officer responded for an unruly guest. The guest departed prior to the officers arrival.
3:35 PM – (19500 Blk. McDonald St.) – Officer responded to speak with a female about a person she picked up in San Antonio.
4:30 PM – 14900 Blk. Lytle-Somerset St. – Officer responded for an injured animal.
5:01 PM – N. Somerset St. @ Adams St. – Officer was advised that a person legally parked his vehicle at the above location.
7:20 PM – (19300 Blk. McDonald. St.) – Officers responded for a report of a shoplifter earlier in the day.
7:38 PM – 14900 Blk. Harbour St. – Officer responded for a female requesting a criminal trespass notice for her boyfriend.