Police arrest capital murder suspect during search for car burglary suspects

Multiple reports of car burglaries reported near North Star Mall area

SAN ANTONIO – A man who admitted he was wanted for capital murder was arrested Thursday morning during a foot pursuit for car burglary suspects on the city's North Side, police said.

"He admitted his involvement in that (capital murder)," said Sgt. Ramiro Juarez of the San Antonio Police Department.

The suspect, identified by police officials as 18-year-old Joel Sambrano, appeared to be relieved he was apprehended.

"This is better because I was wanted by the U.S. Marshals, anyway," Juarez said the suspect told officers.

Sambrano was being taken to Public Safety Headquarters where homicide detectives will interview him.

He was wanted in connection with a home invasion and ambush on July 30 in the 2200 block of Basse Road, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Roy Ponce, 26, was killed during the attempted robbery following an altercation with three male suspects, the affidavit said.

A juvenile witness to the incident was able to positively identify Sambrano as the triggerman, the affidavit stated.

The suspect's older brother, Paul Sambrano, 29, is charged with murder in connection with the incident.

Joel Sambrano ran from officers who were investigating multiple reports of vehicle burglaries around 7 a.m. at La Paloma Apartments in the 100 block of West Rampart, Juarez said.

One of the burglary victims told police he saw a man wearing a T-shirt that was in his car, Juarez said.

When officers spotted Joel Sambrano, he took off and was arrested, Juarez said.

Police are looking for one, possibly two other men, in connection with the vehicle burglaries, Juarez said.


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David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.

Max Massey is the GMSA weekend anchor and a general assignments reporter. Max has been live at some of the biggest national stories out of Texas in recent years, including the Sutherland Springs shooting, Hurricane Harvey and the manhunt for the Austin bomber. Outside of work, Max follows politics and sports, especially Penn State, his alma mater.