Cruz jailed after trying to sell stolen backhoe at cemetery

Frio deputies uncover organized theft ring

Two Pearsall men were jailed last week after a sting operation into a months-long investigation led deputies to a man trying to sell a stolen backhoe at a local cemetery.
Frio County deputies received a break in the case earlier this month which led to the recovery of a stolen zero-turn lawnmower from a Spring Branch man on Wednesday, June 18.
Investigators have described learning of a “massive organized theft ring” operating in Frio County after they delved further into communications between the prospective equipment buyer in Spring Branch and those offering the goods for sale.
Repeat offender Victor James Cruz, 30, was identified by deputies due to prior theft cases as the man who sold the stolen equipment for $1,500.
A warrant for Cruz’ arrest was signed by a judge on Tuesday, June 24. The suspect was arrested the following day after he attempted to sell a stolen backhoe for $3,500 to an undercover deputy at a cemetery in Pearsall.

A report on the case indicates Cruz was driving the backhoe out of the brush near the cemetery when he saw deputies who had surrounded the area. Crux attempted to flee on foot but was caught in some nearby brush and transported to the Frio County Jail without further incident.
Deputies reported finding a gate lying in the road outside the city-owned water treatment plant and realized that Cruz appeared to have stolen the machine from the facility.
City employees confirmed that the backhoe belonged to the city of Pearsall.
During an interview with the suspect, who has allegedly confessed to a number of burglaries in the county, deputies learned Cruz had a cache of stolen items that included air compressors, power washers, weed trimmers, chainsaws, table saws, chop saws, and several rifles.
The man allegedly confessed to stealing an air compressor from the county pond, the backhoe from the city facility and a lawn mower from a residence on Radio Lane. As of Tuesday afternoon investigators have charged the man with several third-degree felonies for theft, resisting arrest and evading arrest.
Cruz had the stolen items stowed away at two different locations in Pearsall, according to investigators.
“As of right now we were able to return a stolen chain saw to Alamo Lumber, which was stolen on May 5,” an investigator working the case said. “Victor has implicated two other subjects in this theft as well, and we hope to make an arrest on the two other individuals soon.”
When deputies were searching a residence to collect stolen items, they discovered one of Cruz’ crime partners, 46-year-old Ephrain Valenzuela, with a quantity of methamphetamine.
Valenzuela was arrested and transported to the Frio County Jail and faces a third-degree felony charge for narcotics possession.
“Deputies seized the phones of Valenzuela and Cruz and they will be analyzed in order to possibly track down additional stolen property and charge anyone else found to be involved in this theft ring by either participating directly or knowingly purchasing stolen property,” Frio County Sheriff Peter Salinas said.
Cruz had been arrested in January after he was caught joyriding in a stolen Polaris off-road utility vehicle.
According to a report on the case, Cruz was seen on surveillance footage that showed him in possession of the Polaris and a Miller Bobcat welder and, a short time later, he was seen driving the utility vehicle driving through west-side residential areas.
The equipment was seized due to Cruz’s apparent inability to tell deputies where he was taking the utility vehicle, the report said.
Investigators later noted that they had identified the welder and utility vehicle as having been stolen from a solar panel jobsite northwest of Pearsall.
Cruz was arrested for state jail felony theft on January 13.
In May, Cruz was arrested and charged with a felony after he was found with a stolen Kubota utility vehicle that had been taken from a property on FM 140.
According to a report on the case, the SUV had been reported stolen on May 13 and was found the following day on a property on Vaughn Road.
When deputies arrived at the scene, Cruz was using the equipment to cut trees.
“I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the deputies and investigators tirelessly working on these cases from all over our county,” the sheriff said. “Our close ties to the good people of Frio County have allowed for these successful property recoveries and criminal cases being filed. Without the support of the people we would not have been successful.”
Cruz remains behind bars.
Salinas said stolen goods may be returned to area residents who have been victims of recent theft and can establish ownership.