SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Police Department property crimes detectives made a bust involving an organized ring of car burglars Thursday and recovered an estimated $60,000 worth of property.
A special task force that included SAPD Prue Property Crimes detectives; the SAPD vice unit; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Department of Public Safety Motor Vehicle Task Force; and the San Antonio Regional Intelligence Center executed a series of search warrants and arrested two suspects accused of committing countless burglary vehicles in recent months.
The crimes occurred at various shopping centers located near Interstate 10 and Loop 1604; Blanco Road and Loop 1604; and along Highway 281.
"Detectives from our Prue Property Crimes Unit and from our intelligence unit were able to develop information that pointed them to an organized group that we feel is responsible for the majority of the vehicle crimes, vehicle burglaries, theft of vehicles in the shopping centers," said SAPD Officer Doug Greene.
Detectives developed enough information to execute two search warrants at three locations where the property was discovered.
"You just have a variety of different items that were recovered. You've got guns, you have memorabilia, expensive luggage and purses, jewelry and sunglasses," Greene said.
They also recovered a Polaris Ranger ATV worth an estimated $13,000, stereo equipment and electronics.
Arrested in the case so far are 42-year-old Robert Ramirez and 35-year-old Michael Castro.
According to court records, Castro has a lengthy rap sheet with multiple arrests for burglary of a vehicle, theft, drug possession and engaging in organized criminal activity.
Castro will be adding to that rap sheet after this arrest.
"These two gentlemen are going to be facing multiple charges, including theft $1,500 to $20,000, felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated assault, theft $20,000 to $100,000 and burglary of a motor vehicle," Greene said. "This is a good recovery for this department and hopefully a lot of people will be able to get their property recovered to them."
Several victims had made reports with SAPD's Prue Property Crimes detectives, who will use those reports to help reunite victims with their property.
Greene said the investigation is still ongoing and they expect to make more arrests as that investigation moves forward.