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Suspect Santiago Morales
Police Arrest Man for Improper
Relationship with Student
San Marcos
police arrested a former employee of the San Marcos Baptist Academy
Friday afternoon and charged him with “improper relationship between an
educator and a student,” a second degree felony.
The police
arrested Santiago (Jimmy) Morales, 25, (DOB 12/22/78) after a complaint
was made on Monday, January 26, 2004 by a 17-year old student of the
private secondary academy.
Detective
Scott Johnson investigated the complaint. The offense allegedly occurred
at Morales’ residence in the 1300 block of Wonder World Drive in San
Marcos.
Morales was employed at
the Baptist Academy from August 2002 to January 26, 2004 as a Student
Activities/Recreation Assistant and also served as a Dormitory Residential
Assistant, police said.
The statute Mr. Morales
was arrested on was passed in the 78th Legislative Regular
Session and became law on September 1, 2003.
The statute, Texas Penal
Code Section 21.12, reads: “An employee of a public or private primary or
secondary school commits an offense if the employee engages in sexual
contact, sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with a person who
is enrolled in a public or private primary or secondary school at which the
employee works.”
The offense is a second
degree felony and is punishable by a sentence of 2 to 20 years in prison and
a fine up to $10,000.
Man Arrested For Abduction,
Assault of Estranged Wife
San Marcos Police have arrested
and charged a 40-year old Lockhart man with aggravated kidnapping and
aggravated sexual assault of his estranged wife.
Esteban Gonzalez, 40, (DOB 3/31/1963) was arrested at
a local restaurant Thursday, February 12, 2004 at approximately 1:45 p.m.
following a 9-1-1 call from his estranged wife.
The woman told police she was forcibly abducted from a parking lot in San
Marcos and taken to a local motel where she was assaulted.
Suspect Esteban
Gonzalez
Gonzalez was taken into custody and is currently being
held under $300,000 bond at the Hays County Law Enforcement center. San
Marcos police are continuing their investigation.
Aggravated Kidnapping and Aggravated Sexual Assault
offenses are first degree felonies. If convicted, the suspect faces a
sentence of five to 99 years or life in prison.
For more information, contact Sgt. Penny Dunn at
512-754-2204.
Police in three cities are looking for two men in their
late teens or early 20s who are suspected of committing multiple crimes
including aggravated assault, robbery and carjacking in San Antonio, New
Braunfels and San Marcos.
They are
described as two black males, ages 19-20 years old. One man was wearing
black pants and a black, hooded sweatshirt. This suspect also had several
gold capped teeth. No additional description was available of the second
suspect.
On Saturday,
February 14, a 22-year old San Marcos woman was approached by two black
males at 5:25 p.m. at the San Marcos High School track. One man pointed a
pistol at her and demanded money.
When she told
him she didn’t have any money, he then demanded her car keys. She gave up
the keys and one man left in her vehicle, a black 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The car was recovered at 2:45 a.m. Tuesday by San Antonio police.
The other man
drove off in a gold Mitsubishi Galant later found abandoned at Central Texas
Medical Center in San Marcos. The Mitsubishi had been stolen Friday during a
aggravated robbery at Windsor Park Mall in San Antonio.
The victim in
that robbery said she was approached by a black male with a gun who demanded
her vehicle.
As San Marcos
processed the Mitsubishi for evidence, they found a purse belonging to a
woman in New Braunfels. Police learned that she had been robbed and beaten
by the same suspects between 4:30 and 5 p.m. Saturday.
The suspects
approached the woman near her home on Churchill Drive in New Braunfels,
pointed a gun at her, and grabbed her purse and keys. One man struck her in
the head with the gun and the two suspects fled.
Anyone with
information about these suspects or the crimes is asked to contact the San
Marcos Police, Criminal Investigations Division, at 512-753-2300; the New
Braunfels Police, CID, at 830-608-2175 or the San Antonio Police, North
Division Robbery Unit, at 210-207-7601.
San Marcos
police used a TASER to subdue a mentally ill man who had become agitated and
assaulted his mother and police at a local convenience store Wednesday
afternoon.
This is the
first time the device, which delivers a 5-second electrical shock, has been
used since the department obtained the TASERs in December.
The incident
occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday as police responded to a call
for help from a woman whose 38-year-old son became combative and assaulted
her as she drove him to a mental health clinic. The woman stopped at a
convenience store on Ranch Road 12 and called police.
The man tried
to punch Corporal Mark Jarman who then sprayed him with pepper spray. The
spray was ineffective and the man charged the officer.
Officer Danny
Arredondo then deployed his TASER which delivered a five-second electrical
pulse to the man’s back. The shock momentarily stunned the man. Officers
took him into custody without further incident.
As a precaution, police summoned EMS to the
scene. Medics swabbed the two contact points from the TASER with alcohol,
the only medical treatment the man required.
Officers then took the man to the Hays County
Law Enforcement Center until arrangements could be made to transport him to
the Austin State Hospital for treatment.
"The TASER
performed just as it should have,” said Police Chief Howard Williams. “The
5-second pulse incapacitates the subject, making it easier for officers to
take a combative subject in to custody. The odds of anyone being injured,
officers or subjects, are greatly reduced when officers do not have to apply
conventional impact weapons or bodily force to subdue a combative
individual."
The San Marcos
Police Department purchased 24 TASERS in December and assigned them to
officers on patrol.
Every officer in the department has been
trained in the use of the TASER, and, during that training, several officers
volunteered to demonstrate the effects of the TASER by having the
TASER used on them. The model that the San Marcos Police
Department uses is the X-26 TASER.
San Marcos police do not use “racial profiling” or
discriminate when they stop motorists for traffic violations or conduct
searches during traffic stops, the 2003 Racial Profiling report has
disclosed.
SMPD has
released its 2003 numbers and an independent analysis stating “the
probability of the ‘Traffic Stop Citations’ being discriminatory is less
than one in several million.”
The racial
profiling analysis is required each year by state law to evaluate whether
traffic stops and searches are disproportionate to the number of ethnic
minorities in the community.
The department
must tabulate the number of traffic stops, the ethnicity of those stopped,
the number of searches, and the percentage of stops and searches by
ethnicity.
Dr. Hassan Tajalli, a
statistician and Assistant Professor of Political Science at Texas State
University – San Marcos, reviewed the data collected for the San Marcos
Police Department, and answered two questions related to this report.
He concluded that the
probability of traffic stop citations being discriminatory “is less than one
in several million.”
He also concluded that
the ethnic distribution of searches “is the same as the ethnic distribution
of citations.”
Racial Profiling is
defined in the department’s policy as, “a law enforcement initiated action
based on an individual’s race, ethnicity or national origin rather than on
the individual’s behavior or on information identifying the individual as
having engaged in criminal activity.”
Chief Howard Williams
noted that this year’s report lacks required information about arrests
arising from traffic stops.
“We have not captured
that data in the past,” Chief Williams said. “We have corrected the
oversight, and we will include arrest data in next year’s report.”
San
Marcos Police
Arrest Two Adults in Drowning
Incident
Lauren Phillips
Jason Deane
San Marcos Police Detective Scott Johnson arrested
Lauren Phillips and her fiancé, Jason Deane, on Friday, March 5, 2004. Phillips, 20 years old, was charged with Injury to a Child, a Second Degree
Felony and Deane, 19 years old, was charged with Endangering a Child, a
State Jail Felony, related to a February 20, 2004 incident that occurred at
the spillway at Rio Vista Dam on the San Marcos River.
The victims, Phillips 19-month old daughter and
4-year old daughter, have been placed under state custody with Child
Protective Services. The 19-month old daughter is still hospitalized at
Children’s Hospital of Austin-Brackenridge with severe head injuries. The
4-year-old was not injured during the incident.
Witnesses reported seeing the family at the San
Marcos River on February 20, 2004 and expressed surprise at seeing the
adults take the two children over the spillway. Deane reportedly went over
the spillway with the oldest daughter and was later followed by Phillips,
who had the 19-month old child. Phillips reported that she had gone near
the dam wall to check on Deane after he went over and was then accidentally
sucked over the spillway with her daughter.
Phillips lost her grip on her youngest daughter
after passing over the spillway. The child was found a few hundred yards
downstream by witnesses and a passerby. They immediately began CPR on the
child, which was continued by EMS upon their arrival at the scene. The
child was then transported to CTMC and later transferred to Austin for
further medical care. The children wore small, circular, tube floats at the
time of the incident.
Injury to a Child – Felony 2, Texas Penal Code
22.01(e) is defined as: A person commits an offense if he/she recklessly by
act or recklessly by omission, causes to a child, serious bodily injury. A
second degree felony is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary
for any term of not more than 20 years or less than two years.
Endangering a Child – State Jail Felony, Texas
Penal Code 22.041(c) is defined as: A person commits an offense if he/she
recklessly by act or omission, engages in conduct that places a child
younger than 15 years in imminent danger of death, bodily injury or physical
or mental impairment. A state jail felony is punishable by confinement in a
state jail for any term of not more than two years or less than 180 days.
Phillips and Deane are being held at the Hays
County Jail in San Marcos. Phillips’ bond was set at $25, 000 and Deane is
being held on a $5,000 bond.
Nineteen month old
Sydney Phillips, severely injured February 20, 2004 when she was swept over
Rio Vista Dam on the San Marcos River, died on Sunday, March 14 at 7:32 a.m.
at Children’s Hospital in Austin.
The toddler never
regained consciousness after the incident. Her four-year-old sister remains
in the custody of Child Protective Services.
Their mother, Lauren
Phillips, 20, was arrested on March 5 and charged with injury to a child, a
second degree felony. Jason Deane, 19, Phillips’ fiancé, was charged with
endangering a child, a state jail felony. Phillips was jailed under $25,000
bond. Deane was arrested and released on a $5,000 bond.
District Judge Charles
Ramsay granted a weekend furlough to Phillips so that she could be with her
daughter and she was with her when she died, police said. Phillips was
expected to surrender Monday afternoon when the furlough ends.
Police do not plan to
file any other charges in the case.
The incident happened about 4 p.m. on Friday,
February 20 when the family went swimming in the San Marcos River at Rio
Vista Dam. The children wore small, circular, tube floats at the time of the
incident.
Witnesses reported seeing the family at the
San Marcos River on February 20, 2004 and watched the adults take the two
children over the spillway.
Deane reportedly went over the spillway with
the older daughter and was later followed by Phillips, who had the 19-month
old child. Phillips reported that she had gone near the dam wall to check
on Deane after he went over and was then accidentally sucked over the
spillway with her daughter.
Phillips lost her grip on the younger girl
after passing over the spillway. The child was found a few hundred yards
downstream by witnesses and a passerby.
They immediately began CPR on the child,
which was continued by EMS upon their arrival at the scene. The child was
then transported to CTMC and later transferred to Austin for further medical
care.
The 4-year-old was not injured during the
incident.
Injury to a Child is a second degree felony
punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for any term of not
more than 20 years or less than two years.
Endangering a Child is a state jail felony by
confinement in a state jail for any term of not more than two years or less
than 180 days.
For more information,
contact Sgt. Penny Dunn, San Marcos Police Department, 512-754-2204.
The San Marcos Police
Department has conducted a compliance check on 41 registered sex offenders
and filed charges against three men who failed to obey the state
registration law.
Charged
with failure to comply with sex offender registration laws were Robert
Hamilton, Jose Nevarez Falcon, Jr. and Jose Marcos Garcia. Hamilton and
Falcon were arrested and released on bond.
Dwight Mason West
Joseph Marcos Garcia
Garcia (also known as
Joseph Marcos Garcia), age 18, is still wanted on this case and is also
being sought on an aggravated assault warrant issued on March 22, 2004.
Garcia is accused of assaulting his girlfriend in March, causing serious
bodily injury. Garcia is described as Hispanic male, 5’ 2”, 100 pounds with
black hair and brown eyes.
Police are still
searching for a registered sex offender who was non-compliant in 2003.
Dwight Mason West, age 48, is wanted on a felony warrant issued in 2003 for
failure to comply with sex offender registration laws. Police believe that
West may still be in the Central Texas area. West is described as a white
male, 6’ 3”, 225 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information
on the location of Garcia or West is asked to contact the SMPD – Criminal
Investigation Division at 753-2300 or Hays County Crimestoppers at 353-TIPS
(8477).
Under state law,
convicted sex offenders must report for registration once a year and in some
cases every 90 days. They are required to register their home address,
employment location, vehicle information and any change in health status.
SMPD Records, Criminal
Investigation and Patrol Divisions worked together on the sex offender
compliance project under the coordination of Cpl. Stuart Ellis. He collected
the records from the records division and created working files for the
individual compliance checks. The records were audited for the most
up-to-date data from the Records Division and the Texas Department of Public
Safety’s Sex Offender database (www.txdps.state.tx.us).
“Our records division
reviews sex offender files each month to see which offenders are due for
renewal or update of their information,” said Sgt. Penny Dunn of CID. “If
they discover a discrepancy, they forward the file to the Criminal
Investigations Division, where a detective is assigned to investigate and
pursue criminal charges should they find the offender is out of compliance. Every violation of compliance is a felony offense.”
Patrol officers and
investigators volunteered to assist in the compliance checks. They were
issued the individual work files and sent out to check on the registered
offenders’ information. The officers checked for accuracy in reporting of
the residence address of the offender, their place of employment and address
and the current vehicle they are driving.
Following the compliance
check in January and February, 39 of 41 registered sex offenders were found
to be in compliance with state law
“The
San Marcos Police Department also conducts the random compliance checks
during the year to confirm the sex offenders’ status and information. When
a sex offender registers with the San Marcos Police Department, they are
told about the compliance checks. They receive fair warning that we don’t
just take their word about the accuracy of the registration information they
provide and that we check out everything that they list on their
registration.”
Warrants were obtained
on the three non-compliant offenders for a 3rd degree felony
charge of Failure to Comply with Requirements of Sex Offender Registration.
San Marcos Emergency
Communications Operators are being honored this week during National
Telecommunicators Week.
Mayor Bob Habingreither presented
a proclamation recognizing the group that links residents to life-saving
emergency help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Freddie Marmolejo and Mary
Rodemyer received special honors last year for saving lives.
Front row
L-R are Chief Howard Williams, Mayor Bob Habingreither, ECO Freddie
Marmolejo, Mary Rodemyer, Krissi Zion, Cate McAllister, Assistant Chief
Johnny James; Top Row, Sr. ECO Tonya Sperry, Brenda Limon, Jessica
Robison, Dusty Ebarb, Rec/Comm Manager Rosanna Wisener. Not pictured
were fulltime ECOs Scott Grant, Christy Johnston and Mary Ann Palomares,
and four part-time operators Margie Esparza Glass, Jenny Inman, Lisa
Nelson and Audry Hammons.
San Marcos Police Department Celebrates
National Public Safety Telecommunications Week
The San Marcos Police Department will celebrate
National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week April 11-17, 2004 to
recognize the unsung heroes who work as 9-1-1 operators.
National Public Safety Week was first celebrated in
1991with to recognize the efforts of public safety Emergency Communications
Operators who are the primary link between people needing help and agencies
that provide assistance. They play a critical role in protection of life
and property for all citizens.
Several activities are planned throughout the week in
recognition of SMPD ECOs.
Mayor Robert Habingreither, will read a proclamation
declaring April 11-17 as the week to honor 9-1-1 operators. The proclamation
will be read at the San Marcos Police Department Auditorium, 2300 S IH 35,
on Monday, April 12, at 4 p.m. The community is encouraged to attend to show
its support for these outstanding individuals.
The San Marcos Police Department’s 9-1-1 Emergency
Communications Division staff is responsible for dispatching Police, Fire,
and EMS for the City of San Marcos, Hays County and a portion of Guadalupe
County.
The San Marcos Emergency Communications Division
consists of two Senior Emergency Communications Operators, 11 full time
ECOs, and four part time ECOs. The San Marcos Police Department
administrative staff would like to express its gratitude and thank these
individuals for their commitment and dedication to their jobs.
The 9-1-1 Communications staff includes: Assistant
Director Johnny James, Records/Communications Manager Rosanna Wisener, Sr.
Emergency Communications Operator, Tonya Sperry, Emergency Communications
Operators, Mary Rodemyer, Krissie Zion, Scott Grant, Cate McAllister, Dusty
Ebarb, Brenda Limon, Mary Ann Palomares, Freddy
Marmolejo, Christy Johnston,
Jessica Robison and part-time Emergency
Communications Operators, Margarita Esparza, Jenny Inman, Lisa Nelson and
Audry Hammons.
The Communications Division operates off a trunked 900
Mhz Ericsson EDACS radio system installed in September 1998, and more
recently a new CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system which went on line
December 18, 2000.
A 26-year old man is
jailed on $50,000 bond and a 16-year old suspect is in juvenile detention
while San Marcos police continue seeking three others wanted in an
aggravated robbery early Wednesday morning.
Agustin Tobias
Villarreal, age 26, (DOB: 07/06/1977) was arrested Wednesday morning and
booked at the Hays County Law Enforcement Center for aggravated robbery,
engaging in organized criminal activity and attempted aggravated sexual
assault. The juvenile, whose name is being withheld, is in custody at the
Hays County Juvenile Detention Center.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Jacob
Lee Deleon, age 17, (DOB: 12/31/1986) and Julia H. Euresti, age 18, (DOB: 03/18/1986). Police are seeking the identity of a fifth suspect in the case.
Suspect Agustin Tobias
Villarreal arrested
Late Wednesday
afternoon, investigators executed a search warrant at Villarreal’s residence
on River Road in San Marcos. Detectives recovered three firearms including
a sawed-off shotgun, as well as a police baton and ballistic vest (body
armor) during the search.
“We expect to file
further charges in this case,” said Sgt. Penny Dunn. “These suspects are
believed to be connected to similar incidents in other communities.”
Police officers
responded to an apartment in the 1200 block of W. Hopkins around 3:40 a.m.
April 14. A 17-year old victim and her mother told police they were
assaulted and robbed in their home.
The victims were treated
for minor injuries at the scene and declined to be taken to the hospital.
The suspects were said
to be armed with multiple weapons, including a gun. At about 5 a.m. police
located the suspects’ vehicle traveling on Gravel Street. When it stopped at
a house on Martin Luther King Drive, two suspects fled and are still at
large.
Police arrested two
males, one a juvenile.
The suspects in custody
were charged with aggravated robbery, engaging in organized criminal
activity and attempted aggravated sexual assault.
Two of the men at large
are also suspects in an earlier robbery of a convenience store on Linda Lane
at around 2 a.m. Wednesday. Police said they entered the store and fled
with four 20-packs of beer. They also verbally threatened the clerk, police
said.
San Marcos police are
continuing their investigation of the case. For more information, contact
Sgt. Penny Dunn, San Marcos Criminal Investigations Division, 512-754-2204.
Narcotics Task Force Seizes 192 Pounds of Marijuana
On Thursday, April 15, 2004, members of the Hays County Narcotics Task Force
(HCNTF) and the Texas Department of Public Safety concluded an investigation
that resulted in the seizure of over 192 pounds of marihuana within the city
limits of San Marcos. This investigation began on that same date when
members of the HCNTF began receiving tips about a large transaction that was
suspected to occur later that afternoon involving a large amount of
marihuana.
HCNTF Detective Laray Taylor coordinated the subsequent
investigation into the tips received. As the investigation evolved,
detectives learned that the marihuana involved in the suspected transaction
was to be brought into the San Marcos area by tractor-trailer. By
approximately 7:00 PM, HCNTF detectives had located the tractor trailer rig
and established surveillance on it as it entered San Marcos on North Bound
IH35. Uniformed detective Carl Spriegel then stopped the tractor trailer
for traffic violations as it approached Highway 123 on Northbound IH35. Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers stopped with Detective Spriegel
shortly thereafter.
Within several minutes of stopping the tractor trailer,
Officers obtained permission from the driver of the rig to search the cab
and trailer. Shortly after entering the trailer, the Officers located
several bundles of what they believed to be compressed marihuana concealed
within a full load of watermelons. The tractor trailer was then moved to a
safe location so that the contraband could be removed from the trailer. HCNTF Detectives and DPS troopers removed a total of 12 bundles of
compressed marihuana from the truck totaling just over 192 pounds.
During the course of the investigation, three other
suspects were located in San Marcos and identified as being involved in the
transportation and delivery of the load of marihuana. The driver of the
truck and the other three suspects were placed under arrest at the
conclusion of the investigation and were booked into the Hays County Jail.
The driver of the truck is identified as 27 year old Noe Ramirez of
Raymondville, TX. Ramirez was charged with Delivery of Marihuana, a first
degree felony.
The other three suspects arrested are identified as 38
year old Ezequiel Jimenez of Brownsville, TX, 25 year old Jose Muniz of
McAllen, TX and 31 year old Ramiro Granados of McAllen, TX. Jimenez was
charged with Delivery of Marihuana, a first degree felony. Muniz and
Granados were both charged with Conspiracy to Deliver Marihuana, a second
degree felony.
Please direct inquiries regarding this information to
Sgt. Chase Stapp at 512-738-1559.
San Marcos police have
arrested six people in connection with a home invasion robbery and a robbery
at a convenience store that occurred on April 14 in San Marcos.
At around 1:30 p.m.
Thursday (April 22) Guadalupe County sheriff’s deputies arrested Manuel
Caudillo Ramirez, age 20 (DOB 4-9-1984) after they found him hiding in a
residence in Geronimo, said Sgt. Penny Dunn of the San Marcos Police
Criminal Investigation Division.
He was arrested for
several incidents that occurred April 14, including a home invasion and
assault of a mother and 17-year old daughter who live in the 1200 block of
West Hopkins Street.
Ramirez was taken to the
Hays County Law Enforcement Center and booked on four criminal charges
related to the incidents. Those charges are two counts of Aggravated
Robbery, Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and Attempted Aggravated
Sexual Assault. Ramirez’ bond has not been set at this time.
A fifth man wanted in
the case was arrested on April 15 on Bandera Street in the Saddlebrook
Subdivision, and an 18-year old woman was arrested for hindering his arrest.
They were Jacob Lee
Deleon, age 17, (DOB: 12/31/1986) who has been charged with Aggravated
Robbery, Robbery, Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and Attempted
Aggravated Sexual Assault. Cecelia Hernandez, age 18 (DOB; 1-22-86) was
charged by police with hindering apprehension.
The other three arrested
last week included a 16-year old juvenile now in custody at the Juvenile
Detention Center; Agustin Tobias Villarreal, age 26, (DOB: 07/06/1977), and
Julia H. Euresti, age 18, (DOB: 03/18/1986), who surrendered on April 15.
Villarreal remains
jailed bond for aggravated robbery, robbery, engaging in organized criminal
activity and attempted aggravated sexual assault. Euresti was jailed on
April 15 and faces charges of aggravated robbery, robbery, engaging in
organized criminal activity and attempted aggravated sexual assault.
Following the initial
arrests of two suspects, San Marcos Police investigators Stuart Ellis and
Adrian Marin continued the investigation of the April 14 crimes.
Late last week,
investigators were able to positively identify the fifth suspect in this
series of criminal offenses and obtained warrants for the arrest of Manual
Caudillo Ramirez of San Marcos.
Many calls and tips came
in about the location of Ramirez, Sgt. Dunn said. Detectives from San
Marcos PD received information that Ramirez was hiding at a residence in
Geronimo, Texas.
Investigators contacted
the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office and requested their assistance.
Ramirez was arrested at approximately 1:30 p.m. by the Guadalupe County
Sheriff’s Office when he was found hiding in the garage of the Geronimo,
Texas residence.
Police said the suspects
were sought in the home invasion and aggravated robbery of the mother and
daughter that occurred at 3:40 a.m. April 14 on West Hopkins as well as a 2
a.m. convenience store robbery on Linda Lane.
On April 14,
investigators executed a search warrant at Villarreal’s residence on River
Road in San Marcos. Detectives recovered three firearms including a
sawed-off shotgun, as well as a police baton and ballistic vest (body armor)
during the search.
For more information,
contact Sgt. Penny Dunn, San Marcos Criminal Investigations Division,
512-754-2204.
The investigation of an Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon resulted in
the issuance of a warrant for Johnny Alison Grant (W/M, DOB: 04/16/1955).
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday evening, San Marcos Police Officers
responded to a residence in the 100 block of Windmill Drive. Officers found
a woman who had been beaten and stabbed. The victim, a 58 year old woman,
was transported to the hospital for
her injuries which included a stab wound to her throat.
Police believe Grant assaulted the victim during an argument. Today
investigators obtained a warrant for Grant for Aggravated Assault with a
Deadly Weapon, a first degree felony.
Suspect Johnny
Alison Grant
Officers in Hays County and Blanco County are looking for Grant who was last
seen driving a blue 1991 Chevrolet truck with a white camper (Texas license
plate number 2CG-V72). Grant is known to possess a gun and should be
considered dangerous. Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Deputies received a
report that Grant threatened to kill his former employer and his wife
following the assault in San Marcos.
If you have information regarding this
case, please contact Sgt. Penny Dunn at the San Marcos Police department at
(512) 754-2204.
Bastrop
Sheriff
Deputies Arrest Suspect in SM Assault
Case
The Bastrop County Sheriff's Office notified San Marcos
Police that fugitive Johnny Alison Grant was apprehended this morning in
Bastrop County, Texas. Bastrop County Sheriff’s Deputies received a tip
from a person who saw a local news story about Grant being wanted for
Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Based on information received from
the caller, the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office investigated the lead and
developed information about the possible location of Grant.
Grant was apprehended this
morning at approximately 8:45 a.m. at a residence in Bastrop County, Texas.
Details regarding his capture are not completely known at this time, but he
is currently being held at the Bastrop County Jail awaiting transfer to the
Hays County Jail.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday evening, San Marcos
Police Officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of Windmill
Drive. Officers found a woman who had been beaten and stabbed. The
victim has been identified as 58-year-old Lerlean Williams of San Marcos.
Williams was transported to Brackenridge Hospital the night of the assault
and remains hospitalized due to her injuries, which include a stab wound to
her throat . No additional information regarding her condition is known.
Police believe Grant assaulted the victim during an
argument. Grant will
be charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a first
degree felony. Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Deputies received a report
that Grant threatened to kill his former employer and his wife following the
assault in San Marcos.
San Marcos
police are searching for four white men, approximately 20 to 22 years old,
who attacked and robbed a man at his apartment Thursday in the second home
invasion in San Marcos this month.
Police officers
found Bronson Kyle Reyna, age 21, bleeding from a head wound when they
responded to a 9-1-1 call from the Exchange Apartments on north I-35 in San
Marcos for a reported robbery.
The victim told
officers that he responded to a knock on the door of his third floor
apartment at around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 29. When he opened the door
four men rushed in and forced him into a back bedroom.
He was beaten
and cut with a knife during a struggle with two of the men, police said.
Reyna was able to escape and ran from the apartment screaming for help.
The four men
fled the apartment and are believed to have left the complex in a vehicle.
The suspects are described as:
#1 White male, 20 – 22
years old, 5’7” to 5’10”, 180 lbs., stocky build, short or shaved head
#2 White male, 20 – 22
years old, 5’8” to 5”9”, 140 to 150 lbs., thin build, brown hair
#3 White male, 20 – 22
years old
#4 White male, 20 – 22
years old
Reyna was transported to
CTMC where he was treated and released. Reyna suffered a large cut to his
head, bruises and scrapes during the attack. The only property reported
taken was illicit drugs, police said.
Detectives are
continuing the investigation and ask that anyone with information call the
SMPD Criminal Investigations Division at 512-753-2300.
This is the second home
invasion type of robbery in April. San Marcos Police arrested five
individuals following an April 14 robbery that occurred in the 1200 block of
Hopkins Street.
A 23-year old Austin man was killed early Friday when
his 2003 BMW, traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph, crashed into the
rear of an empty gravel truck southbound on I-35 near mile marker 209 just
north of San Marcos.
Michael Alan
Simpson, Jr. was dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred shortly
before 3 a.m. Friday morning.
Police estimated the speed of the BMW in excess of 110 mph as it passed a
vehicle driven by two police officers from New Braunfels. The semi tractor
trailer was traveling at an estimated 63 to 65 mph., according to Sgt. Dan
Misiaszek of the San Marcos Police Department.
Simpson was
ejected from the vehicle when the left front of the car struck the right
rear of the empty gravel truck driven by Mark Collins, age 43, of
Castroville. There were no signs of skid marks. Police said Simpson was not
wearing a seatbelt.
The impact with the trailer penetrated the passenger compartment of the BMW
and flattened the rear tires of the semi tractor trailer, Misiaszek said.
The driver of the 18-wheeler gravel truck told
police did not see the BMW until after he felt a sharp jolt forward from the
impact. He then looked in his right mirror and saw the BMW spinning in
circles along side his vehicle. The automobile finally came to rest
415 feet from the point of impact.
Simpson was ejected onto the roadway and was
thrown an estimated 400 feet. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice
of the Peace Margie Hernandez. She ordered an autopsy in the death.
Simpson was a student at the University of Texas
in Austin and recently had completed a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry.
San Marcos police are continuing their
investigation of the crash. No charges are pending in the case.
A 20-year-old San
Marcos woman has been charged with injury to a child after a
five-month-old infant was hospitalized with “shaken baby” injuries.
Dedra Reyes (DOB
12/13/1983) was arrested May 11. She is accused of violently shaking a
relative’s five-month-old daughter while caring for her on May 4 at
Reyes’ home on River Road.
The infant stopped breathing and EMS
was called to the scene. The baby remains hospitalized at Children’s
Hospital in Austin with a serious brain injury, according to police.
San Marcos Police
Detective Scott Johnson conducted the investigation and on May 11 arrested
Reyes. She is charged with injury to a child with serious bodily injury.
Justice of the Peace
Macel Sullivan set bond at $50,000. Reyes was jailed at Hays County Law
Enforcement Center and has since been released on bond.
San Marcos Police
responding to a welfare call Monday found the body of a 51-year-old man and
a small explosive device that required summoning the Austin Police
Department bomb squad.
Apartment managers at
Hidden Village Apartments called police late Monday afternoon when family
members of Richard Minica, age 51, expressed concern about his welfare.
Minica was found dead in
his apartment in the 1200 block of Aquarena Springs Drive around 4:15 p.m.
Monday. Police said there was no indication of foul play. An autopsy was
ordered by Justice of the Peace Macel Sullivan. Preliminary autopsy results
indicated he died of natural causes.
During the investigation
of the death, police discovered a small explosive device in a bedroom
closet. Officers called the Austin bomb squad to take custody of the device,
as required by procedure.
Sgt. Jim Nelson of the
Austin Police Department described the device as a “Cricket” and advised
officers that the explosive was potentially deadly if detonated. The device
was stable and was not activated to detonate, police said.
The APD bomb squad took
the device for disposal at its facility in Austin.
Police are continuing
their investigation into the death and why Minica may have possessed the
device.
Corporal Scott Johnson and
Officer Sandra Thompson-Tovar of the San Marcos Police Department were
honored recently for outstanding service by two Texas law enforcement
organizations.
On May 5,
2004, Corporal Scott Johnson was recognized by the 100 Club of Central Texas
at its annual banquet in Austin, Texas. Cpl. Johnson received the
“Excellence in Performance Award” for his dedicated and successful
investigation of child abuse cases for the San Marcos Police Department.
Cpl. Johnson
was specifically recognized for the investigation, arrest and conviction of
former Austin ISD Asst. Principal and former San Marcos High School Track
Coach Oswald Duffas in 2003 for Indecency with a Child. The victim’s family
also commended Cpl. Johnson for his integrity, professionalism and
compassion.
Officer
Sandra Thompson-Tovar received the “Officer of the Year Award” from the
Texas Women in Law Enforcement at its annual training conference and awards
banquet held in Kerrville, Texas on May 6, 2004.
This is the
highest award presented by the organization. Officer Tovar was recognized
for acts of heroism and excellent police work since starting her career with
the San Marcos Police Department in 1999.
Officer
Tovar has received the San Marcos Police Commendation Award, Life Saving
Medal and Distinguished Service Award. Texas Women in Law Enforcement is an
affiliate organization of the International Association of Women Police.
Her
nomination will be submitted for consideration to the awards program of the
International Association of Women Police at their annual conference being
held in Boston, Massachusetts later this year.
Chief Howard
Williams attended both ceremonies recognizing Cpl. Scott Johnson and Officer
Sandra Thompson-Tovar.
“I am proud of all the
men and women of the San Marcos Police Department, but I am especially
excited about the dedication and professionalism that Corporal Johnson and
Officer Tovar demonstrate every day,” Chief Williams said. “It is very
gratifying to see regional and statewide organizations recognizing the
extraordinary efforts of our officers.”
The Texas
Women in Law Enforcement was founded in 1988 and is open to all women and
men in the criminal justice field. It seeks to provide high quality
training for all peace officers and to recognize women as role models in law
enforcement careers. The organization also promotes communication among
officers and community service projects to foster positive relationships
between law enforcement and the public.
The 100 Club of Central
Texas was founded in 1983 and includes members from five Central Texas
Counties, including Travis, Hays, Caldwell, Bastrop and Williamson. The
organization assists families of peace officers who die in the line of duty,
and provides recognition, educational opportunities and life-protecting
equipment to officers.
On Monday, May 24,
2004, Members of the Hays County Narcotics Task Force and the Hays County
Sheriff’s Office concluded an investigation that resulted in the seizure of
a medium-sized dismantled Methamphetamine lab and the arrest of two
suspects.
The investigation began
when HCNTF Detective Lynn Lueders received an anonymous tip regarding a
marihuana plant seen growing outside of a residence located in the 13000
block of Nutty Brown Road, a residence located outside of Dripping Springs,
Hays County, Texas. Detective Lueders’ investigation following the tip
ultimately led to a search and arrest warrant being obtained for that
residence.
Members of the HCNTF
assisted by members of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office patrol division
served the search warrant in the early morning hours on Monday, May 24,
2004.
Upon serving the search
warrant, detectives were surprised to find what was described as a medium
sized dismantled methamphetamine lab inside the residence. Detectives
ultimately removed over 20 glass jars and other receptacles containing waste
and by-products of the methamphetamine production process, many of which
were suspected of containing residual traces of methamphetamine.
Detectives also seized
various quantities of what they believed was finished methamphetamine. These substances will be tested by chemists at the Texas Department of
Public Safety Crime Lab to confirm the presence of methamphetamine in them.
Two suspects were
located at the residence: 47 year old James Rountree and 40 year old
Christy Rountree were both arrested and charged with Manufacturing a
Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1 in an amount over 400 grams, a first
degree felony. Both suspects are in custody at the Hays County Law
Enforcement Center awaiting bail.
An environmental
cleanup company under contract with the United States Drug Enforcement
Agency (DEA) responded to the scene to clean up the hazardous waste seized
by HCNTF personnel.
Please direct inquiries
about this release to Sergeant Chase Stapp (HCNTF) at 512-754-2206.
DEMOLISHED-The demolished patrol car of San Marcos
Police Officer Todd Harrison lies crumpled in a ditch on I-35 after
being rear-ended by a van on I-35 Wednesday morning at the 200 mile
marker in San Marcos.Harrison was treated for
lacerations at Brackenridge Hospital and released. San Marcos
firefighters had to cut Harrison out of the patrol car. The officer was
assisting in traffic control following an earlier roll-over accident on
I-35 when his vehicle was struck by the van.
Police think the driver fell asleep at the wheel. (Photo
by Sgt. Dan Misiaszek, SMPD)
SM Officer Escapes Serious Injury After Van Hits Patrol
Car
A San Marcos police officer
assisting with traffic control on I-35 was injured Wednesday morning when
his patrol car was struck from behind by a box van.
Officer Todd
Harrison was reported to be in good condition at Brackenridge Hospital after
he was extricated from his vehicle. He was transported to Brackenridge
Hospital by EMS.
He suffered
head lacerations and was expected to be treated and released, according to
Assistant Police Chief Johnny James.
Harrison was
working traffic control at the scene of an earlier one car roll-over
accident on I-35 at the 200 mile marker at 6:26 a.m. when the 2003
International box van traveling northbound crashed into his patrol car.
Emergency
workers had to extricate Harrison from the vehicle.
The driver of the van, whose name was
unavailable, was transported to Brackenridge Hospital with head and neck
injuries and lacerations.
Department of Public
Safety Trooper Brian Freeman is investigating the wreck. Preliminary
investigation indicates the driver of the box van fell asleep at the wheel,
police said.
Harrison has been a San
Marcos police officer since 1997.
On Tuesday, June 22,
2004, Members of the Hays County Narcotics Task Force served a search
warrant that resulted in the seizure of approximately 145,000 tablets of the
controlled substance Hydrocodone and approximately 6,000 tablets of the drug
Alprazolam. Hydrocodone is most commonly known by various brand names
including Vicodin and Lortab while Alprazolam is commonly known by the brand
name Xanax. Both of these pharmaceutical controlled substances are commonly
diverted to the black market for abuse.
This investigation
began on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 when Detective Carl Spriegel of the HCNTF
received information regarding a possible mini storage unit in the Dripping
Springs, Texas area being used to store a large amount of these drugs.
Throughout the day on Tuesday, detectives from the HCNTF conducted an
extensive investigation into the information received by Detective Spriegel
and ultimately focused that investigation on a mini storage unit located
within the Best Storage complex in Dripping Springs, Texas. By Tuesday
evening, the investigation had developed to the point that the detectives
could procure a search warrant for the mini storage unit. That warrant was
served at approximately 8:00 Tuesday evening.
Detectives were
surprised to find 16 crates within the storage unit containing approximately
300 large pharmacy supply type pill bottles. The bottles were found to
contain approximately 145,000 tablets of Hydrocodone and approximately 6,000
tablets of Alprazolam. The detectives then continued the investigation on
Wednesday, June 23, 2004 with the assistance of the Austin office of the
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). During the investigation on Tuesday
and Wednesday, the suspect of the investigation was identified as Donald
Edward Cook, the person who had rented the mini storage unit in which the
pills were located. Cook is identified as a 55 year old Austin resident. Cook was arrested on Wednesday, June 23 and is currently in federal custody
with no bond.
Detectives believed and
confirmed that the owners of the mini storage unit in which the pills were
located had no knowledge or involvement in this crime. The street value of
the drugs seized is estimated at just over 1 million dollars. HCNTF
Sergeant Chase Stapp described this seizure as the largest pharmaceutical
controlled substance seizure in the history of the task force. This
investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests are possible.
Please direct inquiries
about this release to Sergeant Chase Stapp (HCNTF) at 512-754-2206.
Neighborhoods
throughout San Marcos are invited to join forces with thousands of
communities nationwide on Tuesday, August 3 for the “21st Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event.
National Night Out is
designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and generate
support and participation for local anti-crime efforts. NNO also seeks to
strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and to send
a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting
back.From 6 to 10 p.m. on August 3, residents in neighborhoods throughout
San Marcos and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on
outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.
San Marcos police will
visit with neighborhoods and discuss Neighborhood Crime Watch programs,
traffic enforcement, and the Citizens Police Academy session starting August
19. The San Marcos fire department, EMS and 911 Operators will also visit
each gathering in the city.
Many neighborhoods
throughout San Marcos will host a variety of special events such as block
parties, cookouts, parades, and visits from police, flashlight walks,
contests, youth activities and anti-crime rallies. A planning meeting is
scheduled for Tuesday July 6, noon at the San Marcos Police Department.
San Marcos NNO parties
have drawn enthusiastic participation in recent years.
Neighborhoods and individuals interested in
having a party may contact Crime Prevention Officer Larry Sowards at
754-2270.
The San Marcos Police
Department will start the next Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA) Class #16 on
Thursday, August 19 at 6 p.m. The class has room for several more
participants.
CPA lasts for 12 weeks
and is held for three hours on Thursdays with two optional “hands on” Saturday events.
The academy allows
citizens served by the department to explores the values, philosophy, and
operations of the San Marcos Police Department. In turn, the Police
Department’s employees become more aware of the feelings and concerns of the
community through input from the students.
The course is free to
anyone who lives or works in the City of San Marcos. Participants must also
be at least 18 years of age and not have any pending charges in any criminal
court.
To enroll, stop by or
request an application from the Police Department, 2300 I-35 South. For
more information, contact Larry Sowards at 754-2270.
A San Marcos man was
arrested without injury early Sunday after firing a shotgun and then
barricading himself in a residence on Columbia Street for several hours.
The San Marcos Police
Department’s SWAT Team was called to the scene in the 1000 block of Columbia
following a family disturbance call at 2:21 a.m. Sunday. A woman reported to
police that the man was threatening to shoot her, said Police Chief Howard
Williams.
As officers arrived, the
suspect fired two rounds from the shotgun. The man refused to obey
officers’ orders to drop the weapon and went into the house.
The SWAT team was called
out and attempted to use chemical spray to coax the suspect out of the
residence. When that did not work, SWAT officers entered the building and
deployed a TASER to subdue the suspect.
Benjamin Paul Krause,
age 24, (DOB 11/19/1979) was taken into custody shortly after 6 a.m. Police
filed charges of Deadly Conduct and Resisting Arrest, both Class A
misdemeanors. He was released on $10,000 bond for the deadly conduct charge
and $5,000 bond on the resisting arrest charge.
San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams invites the public to attend an open meeting on local crime trends and other police-related issues on Wednesday, September 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins.
The session is the first briefing by the Police Department to inform the public about department accomplishments, goals, crime statistics, police activity, and more.
The public will hear from Chief Williams as well as from Police Department command staff members.
“We believe that the police department should be accountable, publicly, to the community we serve. This meeting will be the first of many where the people of San Marcos will have the opportunity to question my command staff and me regarding the police services we deliver,” said Chief Williams.
The briefing will cover crime trends, patrol activity, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, sex offenders, parking enforcement, recruitment and hiring, training, use of less-lethal weapons, crime prevention, Citizens Police Academy, school resource officers, victims services, bicycle and foot patrols, loud party enforcement, and narcotics.
Police Seek Man for Failing to Comply
With Sex Offender Registration
San Marcos Police have issued a warrant for one man for failing to register as a sex offender following a compliance check of 44 local sex offenders in August.
Det. Stuart Ellis obtained a warrant for Jose Alvarado Vasquez (DOB: 03/11/1967). Non-compliance with sex offender registration laws is a felony offense.
Vasquez was convicted of sexual assault of a child and is a lifetime registered sex offender. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call the San Marcos Police Department at 512-753-2108 or Crimestoppers at 800-324-8477.
The compliance check program involves Records, Patrol and Criminal Investigations divisions of the Police Department. The project began in 2003 to confirm registration information on all registered sex offenders living in the City of San Marcos.
Police officers must go to each sex offender’s residence to verify the registration information, employment location and their vehicle information. The department conducts checks twice in every twelve month period at random times.
Jose Alvarado Vasquez
“The San Marcos Police Department is committed to enforcing compliance with the Registered Sex Offender laws,” said Police Chief Howard Williams. “We also have been assisted by citizens. Since starting the program in 2003, we have received numerous tips on sex offenders who are in violation of the registration requirements.”
When the police receive such information, they start an investigation immediately. Many times, the information results in the issuance of a warrant for the felony offense. Those convicted of violating the registration laws face as much as 20 years imprisonment, depending on the level of registration required.
Of the 44 sex offenders currently registered with the San Marcos Police Department, 41 offenders have been convicted of sex offenses involving children and three have been convicted of sex offenses involving an adult victim.
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains a website for all registered sex offenders in the state of Texas, which can be viewed at: www.txdps.state.tx.us
A San Marcos man was arrested for assaulting his wife with a hammer, sending her to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Police arrested Alan Reed Collins, 40, (DOB 7-17-1964), Tuesday after they were called to the 1100 block of Faris Street around 8:30 a.m. to investigate the assault of a 33-year old woman who fled her home after the attack.
The woman had been struck several times in the head and hands by a claw hammer. Police and EMS were called after she fled her home. She was taken to Central Texas Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries where she was treated and released.
Collins is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He remains at the Hays County Law Enforcement Center with bond set by Judge Macel Sullivan at $75,000.
Man arrested for aggravated
sexual assault of child, indecency
A 31-year-old San Marcos man has been arrested on one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first degree felony, and two counts of indecency with a child, a second degree felony.
Osie Lee Cook, (DOB 11.13.1972) was arrested on September 18 in Portland, Texas. He remains jailed in the Hays County Law Enforcement Center under bond set at $175,000.
The three victims in the case are all under the age of 17. Police also are investigating the case of a possible fourth victim.
Cook was previously employed as a teacher’s assistant with the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District between August 1999 and May 2003. He was also a volunteer coach with the Christian Federation of Police Officers (CFOP) basketball league.
The alleged offenses occurred over the past six years, none on school property. Three law enforcement agencies, including San Marcos Police, Martindale Police and Caldwell County Sheriff’s office, are involved in the investigation.
According to SMCISD school officials, two consecutive criminal background checks on Cook in 1999 and 2003, came up clear.
The investigation will continue as new information is developed. Det. Scott Johnson is working with investigators with the Martindale Police Department and the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office related to offenses reportedly committed in those jurisdictions.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Det. Johnson at the San Marcos Police Department Criminal Investigation Division, 753-2300.
Upon conviction, the penalty for a second degree felony is 2 to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The penalty for a first degree felony is five years to life in prison and a $10,000 fine.
A 77-year old San Marcos man walking on the northbound Union
Pacific railroad tracks was killed by a train about 5:40 p.m.
Sunday about two tenths of a mile north of Wonder World Drive
near Sherwood Drive in south San Marcos.
Trinidad “Trine” Sanchez of San Marcos was pronounced
dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Macel Sullivan.
An autopsy will be performed by the Travis County Medical
Examiner.
According to SMPD collision investigator Dan Misiaszek, the
Union Pacific train engineer saw the man on the tracks, sounded
the horn and applied the emergency brakes about 100 yards
before striking Sanchez.
Sanchez was thrown approximately 30 feet from the tracks
into a tall weedy median between two sets of tracks.
San Marcos police officers walked door to door in the neighborhood
to try to learn his identity. A woman in the 1100 block of
Gravel Street identified the victim as her brother.
Investigators learned that Sanchez had visited the Sac-N-Pac
store on Wonder World Drive, shortly before he was struck
by the train. He had been seen sitting in the store drinking
a soft drink.
The Union Pacific train was approximately one mile in length
and had two engines pulling 91 box cars. The Wonder World
Drive railroad crossing was blocked by the train from 5:47
p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Police said that Sanchez frequently walked in his neighborhood
and had last been seen by his family about 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Anyone having further information is asked to call the police
departments Collision Investigation Team at 512-754-2212.
The case is being investigated both by the San Marcos police
and the Union Pacific Railroad police.
Loud
booming music that some drivers like to share with everyone
is not only annoying to many—in San Marcos, it’s
illegal.
City ordinance makes it illegal for drivers to play music
in their vehicles loud enough to be heard or felt 30 feet
or more away. The rules apply both on public roadways and
private property.
Violators can be fined up to $500. Since the beginning of
2004, some 23 tickets have been issued, according to Municipal
Court Clerk Sylvia Quintero.
“We get a number of complaints from citizens,”
said Commander Bill Glasgow of the San Marcos Police Department.
“Our officers will ticket offenders. We can usually
hear them before we see them.”
The Police Department has issued a “Get-along Guide”
distributed to Texas State University students this fall to
urge compliance with the noise ordinance, host responsibility
ordinance, and alcohol regulations. The guide also provides
helpful phone numbers for a variety of services.
For more information about the noise ordinance, visit the
City of San Marcos web site, www.sanmarcostexas.us and click
on the Student link.
San Marcos police are seeking a man who sexually assaulted a 20-year old woman in her bedroom on Craddock Avenue on Saturday morning, October 9.
The young woman was awakened at 7 a.m. by a strange man in her bedroom at her apartment in the 200 block of Craddock Avenue. The suspect threatened the woman with a gun and then sexually assaulted her. The man then left, and the victim heard a vehicle drive away.
The victim was unable to provide a description of her assailant due to poor lighting. According to Sgt. Penny Dunn, there was no sign of forced entry. Police think the man entered through an unlocked door.
Police are seeking any information related to this offense or any unusual activities in the 200 block of Craddock from Friday evening, October 8 through Saturday morning, October 9.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Marcos Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 512-753-2300 or to report suspicious circumstances, call 911 or Police Emergency Communications at 753-2108.
Grand Jury Indicts SM Officer for Misappropriation of Funds
A Travis County Grand Jury indicted a San Marcos police officer October 27 for misappropriation of funds from a police organization.
Larry Sowards, a 13 year veteran of the department, was indicted for misappropriating funds from the Texas Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). The indictment alleges a misappropriation in excess of $20,000 but less than $100,000, a third degree felony under Texas law.
Sowards served as President of the Texas FOP from 1996 to 2002.
Police Chief Howard Williams suspended Sowards Thursday without pay.
"This temporary suspension is not intended to reflect an opinion on the merits of the indictment," said Williams. The suspension begins October 28 and will run no longer than 30 days following the final disposition of the indictment, Williams added.
Sowards has been with the San Marcos PD since June 1991 (13 years). He has the rank of officer, and is assigned to Crime Prevention.
At right is a police artist drawing of a man who attempted to kidnap a 12 year old boy on Nov. 5 from a school bus stop. If you have information on this case or know this suspect, please call the San Marcos Police Department at 512) 753-2108 or Criminal Investigation Division at 512) 753-2300.
Police Seek Man Who Attempted Kidnapping of Boy
San Marcos Police are looking for a white male with a goatee, in the 30-40 year age range, who attempted to kidnap a 12-year-old boy who was waiting for the school bus in the 1600 block of I-35 near Uhland Road in San Marcos Friday morning.
The child told police that between 7:10 and 7:15 a.m. this morning, an orange truck pulled up and a man with a graying goatee rolled down the passenger side window and offered to give the boy a ride to school.
The boy refused and then the man shouted at him to “get in the truck,” police said. The boy ran away to his home and told his parents who then called police.
Investigators are having a forensic sketch drawn of the suspect which should be available later today.
The child described the truck as orange, possibly a four-door, model unknown.
Anyone with information on this case or knows of a suspect or suspect vehicle fitting the description are asked to contact the San Marcos Police Department at 512) 753-2108 or Criminal Investigation Division at 512) 753-2300.
Images of suspect taken by video camera in Bank of America.
Bank Robbed in San Marcos
A man claiming to have a gun robbed the San Marcos branch of the Bank of America, 308 E. Hopkins about 2 p.m. Friday, December10, 2004.
San Marcos police are seeking a white or Hispanic male, age 30 to 40, wearing a long sleeve denim shirt, blue jeans and a blue bandana on his head who escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.
According to witnesses, the man approached a teller shortly after 2 p.m. and handed her a note with instructions about giving him money and claiming to have a gun, said Sgt. Penny Dunn.
He was last seen fleeing the area on foot. There was no vehicle seen with the suspect.
Police are continuing the search and have collected photographs of the suspect from the bank camera.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division of the San Marcos Police Department, at 512-753-2300 or call Crime Stoppers at 353-8477 (TIPS) or 800- 324-8477.
The Ozona National Bank at 141 W. Hopkins in San Marcos was robbed Wednesday afternoon of an undisclosed amount of money.
San Marcos police are seeking a white male, about 55 years old, who handed a teller a note demanding money about 2:29 p.m. He walked out the front door and disappeared in an unknown direction.
Witnesses said the man was wearing a blue stocking cap on his head, a light colored “puffy” jacket, and light colored pants.
This is the second bank robbery in San Marcos in 12 days. On Dec. 10, the Bank of America at 318 E. Hopkins, about three blocks away, was robbed. No arrests have been made in that case. Police and FBI agents are continuing their investigation.
“At this time we do not believe the two bank robberies are related,” said Sgt. Byron Mobley of the Criminal Investigation Division. “The suspects do not appear to be the same person.”
Anyone with information about either case is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division of the San Marcos Police Department, at 512-753-2300 or call Crime Stoppers at 353-8477 (TIPS) or 800- 324-8477.
