Texas Association of Vehicle Theft Investigators
IAATI - S. Central Regional Chapter
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TAVTI/SCRC Texas Association of Vehicle Theft Investigators IAATI - S. Central Regional Chapter |
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Submitted by Inv. Joe Lopez, Bell Co. Sheriff's Office
Milam County Sheriff's Office deputies set up a bait trailer with a four-wheeler that had a GPS attached to it and followed it into Bell County on Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010. The address was on Iglesia Street in Little Mexico (West Temple near SH 317.) Two arrests were made (Raymond Lara and Paul Lara). One fled, believed to be a Eugene Hernandez. Also located was a Yamaha Grizzly ATV stolen out of Bruceville-Eddy. Milam County also located some VIN tags to a John Deere Gator stolen out of Hamilton County, a Kubota ATV stolen out of Waco, and a lawn tractor stolen out of Belton. Only the VIN tags or paperwork with the VIN on it were located - no property. This information may be of interest to others in the area, as these guys have apparently been hitting everywhere.
On April 24, 2010, at approximately 0330 hours, Travis Co. Sheriffs' Combined Auto Theft Task Force Agent Detective Rick Rutledge, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, was contacted by deputies assisting a TX DPS trooper on a traffic stop. Detective Rutledge made the scene on I-35 in Kyle, Texas. Detective Rutledge observed four skid steers. Three were Caterpillar brand and one a Melroe Bobcat inside of a 53’ semi trailer. One of the Caterpillars had been reported stolen, but the rest were not.
The driver advised that he was taking the tractor trailer to San Antonio, where he was supposed to leave it at a truck stop for some unknown person to pick up. The driver stated that he was then traveling on to Mexico. The trooper detained the driver. Detective Rutledge later began the process of tracking down owners for the equipment. Detective Rutledge was able to identify and notify all owners, two of which had not reported their equipment missing yet. The fourth piece had been entered incorrectly and was found stolen after the entry was corrected.
Detective Rutledge is coordinating with DPS Criminal Investigator Dylan Dorrow. Sgt. Dorrow is completing the process for seizing the tractor and trailer.
Click HERE to scroll through photos of this investigation.