SEGUIN, Texas – Seguin police didn't have to go far to respond to a vandalism call Thursday afternoon. It happened in their own parking lot.
Clear dashcam video shows a man running up and throwing a huge rock through the back window of a police unit. No one was in that car, but a city staff member was working in a unit across the parking lot.
When a police car is turned on, the computer inside boots up. That computer then starts the dash camera automatic recording. That's the camera that recorded the whole crime Thursday.
Surveillance cameras at the police station caught the suspect's car entering and leaving the parking lot. Police said the suspect, Dillon Contreras, allegedly stole that car from a family member. The car had been reported stolen earlier that day.
Seguin police posted all the video to their Facebook page, so the community could see.
"The suspect involved had a caution for violent tendencies, for possible weapons," Seguin police officer Carlos Contreras said.
He said tracking down Dillon Contreras was easy, but officers had to be careful.
"It's very scary but we signed up for this job. So we're going to go at it no matter what," Officer Contreras said.
Dillon Contreras was eventually arrested, charged with criminal mischief and taken to the Guadalupe County jail. Investigators still don't know why he targeted the police department, but with recent anti-police rhetoric around the country, they're on high alert.
"The fact that he did it, that's suspicious and concerning enough," Officer Contreras said.
Even so, Officer Contreras knows this one act doesn't represent the entire community.
"Our community is tight-knit and close and very supportive of the Police Department. I appreciate that," he said.
So when something like Thursday's crime happens, he's still proud to call Seguin home.
Criminal Mischief Arrest (SPD Case #16-39351)***Man caught on camera throwing rock through police vehicle*** On Thursday afternoon (07/28/16), a city employee unexpectedly helped police track down a suspect thanks to his quick-thinking and actions. The staff member was working on a police vehicle in the police department parking lot. He noticed a car drive up, then drive away a few minutes later. When he saw the car return, he felt it was suspicious and decided to record it. The employee was familiar with our police vehicle capabilities and was able to hit record on the in-car recording system. The video captured a Hispanic male holding a large rock approaching another police vehicle. He was seen throwing the rock into the rear window, completely shattering it. The employee was also able to take photos of the suspect and his vehicle, and provide a license plate number. He immediately reported the incident to police. Needless to say, the suspect's act was caught on video including on the surveillance cameras located at the Police Department. The suspect was identified as Dillon Contreras, 22. Investigators learned the vehicle seen in the video has been stolen from Contreras’ family member. Officers were provided with a BOLO (be on the lookout) for a Silver Chevy Malibu and were asked to use caution when dealing with Contreras due to previous confrontation with law enforcement. During the search, officers were dispatched to the 300 block of David St after receiving a call from the suspect’s family. They reported seeing him damaging his family member's stolen Malibu. They also heard Contreras bragging about damaging a patrol vehicle. Officers conducted a felony traffic stop after spotting Contreras due to the "use caution" provided. Once Contreras was taken into custody he was transported to the Seguin Police Department where he spoke to SPD Detectives. Afterwards, he was transported to the Guadalupe County Jail and charged with Criminal Mischief (Class B Misdemeanor). Chief Kelso stated that while this lone incident is a “direct, egregious assault” against the Seguin Police Department, it was not reflective of the Seguin community. Chief Kelso further stated “It is sad that one incident can be misconstrued as the general feeling of a whole community, much like we unfortunately see across the nation today. In Seguin, this is simply not the case. Our community is incredibly supportive to our officers and we are so very grateful for the support and kindness. This lone criminal act reflects the hate of one person and one person alone.” If you commit a crime in our city, we will make you famous. -Officer C. Contreras
Posted by Seguin Police Department on Friday, July 29, 2016