Laredo police have arrested five males and detained two 14-year-old juveniles in connection with a series of auto burglaries across the city.
The first incident occurred around 2 a.m. on June 25, when officers responding to a suspicious person call on Laredo Street detained two teenage boys. The juveniles were found carrying latex gloves, ski masks, screwdrivers, and Texas license plates. They admitted to searching for a vehicle to steal and intended to use the stolen plates on the stolen vehicle. Both juveniles were taken to the Webb County Youth Village.
In a second incident around 5:47 a.m. on June 26, a patrol lieutenant spotted two suspicious individuals near parked vehicles. After a foot pursuit, 18-year-old Sebastian Alberto Cepeda and 19-year-old Jesse Mancillas were apprehended. Both face multiple charges, including evading arrest, possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, tampering with evidence, burglary of a vehicle, theft, and criminal attempt theft.
The third event took place at approximately 12:30 a.m. on June 27, when officers responded to reports of several people attempting to open vehicles while wearing hoodies. Though the suspects fled, police stopped a vehicle moments later for a traffic violation and identified the occupants as 17-year-old Christian Chaudras, 20-year-old Jose Diaz, and 22-year-old Jesus Antonio Soto, all from Houston.
Authorities discovered a blank key fob, pliers, a screwdriver, and part of a key programming device in the vehicle. The suspects face charges of criminal attempt-attempted theft of a motor vehicle and engaging in organized criminal activity.
The Laredo Police Department continues to investigate the incidents as part of its efforts to combat vehicle-related crimes in the area.
