Car Theft Ring Busted After Chase
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Oct 6, 2009, 0 Comments
Courtesy Joe Baeza,
On Friday, October 02, 2009, at approximately 6:33pm, a Laredo Police Department Pipeline Officer attempted to stop a blue in color, 2008 Volvo hatchback which refused to stop while travelling southbound on by IH-35 crossing with Del Mar exit. The primary officer stated that earlier he had received a lookout which was given by Austin Police Authorities that some stolen vehicles which were coming in from Austin, Texas into Laredo. Apparently, the Volvo was one of the reported stolen vehicles from the stolen car lookout.
During the pursuit a gold colored Chevrolet Impala got in front of pursuing Officer’s path attempting to block off and interfere on the evading Volvo vehicle. The car chase ended when the driver of the Volvo vehicle abandoned the car by Island/Riverside Road. Immediately backup officers arrived at the scene, and noticed a male subject with no shirt walking away from the immediate area. Fortunately, there was a truck driver who witnessed the suspect exiting the Volvo and quickly removed off his shirt. The truck driver told officers of the shirtless suspect. A few blocks away, a motorcycle traffic officer stopped the accomplice driving the Chevrolet Impala which had a male driver and female passenger, by Markley/Anna Avenue. During the inventory of the Volvo car, police found a Nextel Cellular with phone number matching a receiving phone from another Nextel cellular found on the Chevrolet Impala car.
The driver of the recovered stolen Volvo was identified as Javier Martinez, Jr. age 20, date of birth 10/10/88 who was charged with Evading Arrest S.J.F., Unauthorized Use of A Vehicle S.J.F., and Organized Criminal Activity Felony 3 Degree; also, The driver of the Chevrolet Impala was identified as Angel Ruiz, age 25, date of birth 07/21/84and female passenger Laura Gutierrez, age 24, date of birth 08/03/85 who both were charged with Interfering with Public Duties Class B Misdemeanor and Organized Criminal Activity Felony 3 Degree.
The Auto Theft Division was notified & arrived to follow up on the defendants. Apparently, defendant Angel Ruiz is a known auto theft ring leader; as well as, the female defendant Laura Gutierrez had prior arrests of stolen vehicles.
There were no fleet or car accidents, or any injuries involved in this car chase.
