Crime group cuffed after burglary spree

By Marc Robertson - Editor | October 18, 2023

“Tried breaking into as many as thirty vehicles in one night…”

Angel Gallegos

Two men and two juvenile boys were taken into custody last week on a rake of charges related to a crime spree in which they allegedly targeted scores of vehicles in Cotulla and stole a firearm.
Investigating the organized crime ring were deputies of the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office who had been dispatched on several calls earlier in the week related to vehicle break-ins and theft.
Identified as 17-year-old Angel Gallegos and 21-year-old Devin Michael Ruiz, the adult suspects in the group and the juveniles were interviewed in connection with the string of burglaries that had occurred during the night of Sunday to Monday, Oct. 8-9, and gave statements related to their involvement, according to La Salle Sheriff’s Lt. Homar Olivarez this week.
All four suspects in the case are Cotulla residents.
The nighttime crime spree had occurred at a number of locations across Cotulla, stretching from the Madison Pointe apartment complex to residences on Hidalgo Street on the city’s east side.

Devon Ruiz

At least eight incidents were reported in which thieves had either broken into vehicles or had opened cars and trucks that had been left unlocked, the lieutenant said. In one incident, a firearm was stolen from a vehicle, and in another a 2003 Ford Expedition sport utility vehicle was stolen and later abandoned on North Front Street.
“These were random vehicles, parked at residences or in parking lots,” Lt. Olivarez said after the arrests. “The suspects appeared to have targeted as many vehicles as they could find.
“We believe they may have tried opening or breaking into as many as thirty vehicles in one night,” the lieutenant added. “We also believe that they discharged the firearm on a public road during the night.”
Deputies were alerted early in the morning of Oct. 9 that the stolen SUV had been left on North Front Street and examined the Ford.
Lt. Olivarez said evidence gathered in the case included security camera footage from several sites, and that investigating deputies spotted one or more of the suspects in a number of video clips, thereby able to trace the crime spree across town and identify some of the places at which the four individuals had stopped to commit burglaries.
Olivarez added that the security camera footage was invaluable in the investigation and said the sheriff’s office is encouraging all La Salle County residents to take full advantage of their surveillance camera capabilities and to remain vigilant.
“Deputies Joe Pargas and Giovanni Ayala were the first to examine the stolen vehicle,” Lt. Olivarez said, “and they were able to develop some leads from security cameras in the area.
“Based on what we had learned so far, we had two persons of interest within hours of the crime spree,” the lieutenant said. “These were Devin Ruiz and a male juvenile.”
Deputy Hector Rodriguez had been conducting interviews at the same time, Olivarez said, and these resulted in further evidence in the case against the suspects.
“Through interviews with our persons of interest, we were able to identify a third suspect,” the lieutenant said. “He was a juvenile, and he was also questioned.
“All three gave detailed statements related to the burglaries, the stolen vehicle, and the stolen firearm,” Olivarez said. “Then a fourth suspect was identified through those statements and through video surveillance footage, and that was Angel Gallegos.”
Gallegos and the two juveniles were arrested on Wednesday morning, Oct. 11. Ruiz was arrested Thursday, Oct. 12, shortly after being released from a stay in a healthcare facility.
Sheriff Anthony Zertuche was the lead officer in Gallegos’ arrest, being first to enter the suspect’s residence and handcuff the man.
The four have been charged with four counts each of Class A misdemeanor burglary of a vehicle, Class B misdemeanor for criminal mischief with damages up to $750 in value, state jail felony for theft of a firearm, and state jail felony for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Gallegos has additionally been charged with third-degree felony deadly conduct, related to his alleged use of the firearm.
“Significantly, we have been able to charge each of the suspects with a Class A misdemeanor for engaging in organized criminal activity,” the lieutenant said. “This is because we have been able to determine that they planned and executed these crimes together.”
The sheriff’s office has indicated that additional charges may be filed against the suspects pending the outcome of further investigation.
The four remained behind bars in lieu of bond Monday, Oct. 16.