LAREDO, Texas (KGNS) – A former Laredo bartender has been arrested on theft charges tied to a 2019 fraud investigation involving a local nightclub, according to police.
Authorities say 36-year-old Daniel Avila Jr. was served with an arrest warrant on October 19 for state-jail felony theft. The warrant had originally been issued on July 22, 2020, but police were unable to locate him until now.
The case began on January 3, 2019, when Laredo Police received a theft report from Club Retro, located at 1016 Iturbide Street. Investigators say Avila, who worked as a bartender at the time, defrauded the business and stole more than $5,000 over a two-month period.
According to the report, Avila allegedly processed fraudulent transactions by adding inflated tip amounts using non-reloadable gift cards. Police say he would then cash out the excess funds at the end of his shifts.
The investigation extended for more than five years before Avila was located and the warrant was served.
