BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar announced that a fourth suspect linked to an auto theft ring has been arrested and booked into the county jail over the weekend. Ashton Garcia, 18, voluntarily turned himself in and was booked shortly after 4:15 a.m. on Sunday on a theft charge estimated between $30,000 and $150,000.
Court records reveal that a judge set Garcia’s bail at $40,000, which he posted, leading to his release just before 2 a.m. on Monday.
Garcia is the last of four suspects believed to be involved in an auto theft operation that spanned across Bexar County. Earlier arrests included Bryan Salazar, 22, Jocelyn Guzman, 21, and Isaiah Perales, 20, all taken into custody on October 10.
The suspects allegedly utilized technology to duplicate key fobs for high-demand vehicles, including Dodge Chargers and Challengers. Sheriff Salazar stated that their method aimed to clone the fobs, allowing them to access the vehicles.
Bryan Salazar faces multiple charges, including tampering with evidence, marijuana possession, and deadly conduct. Guzman is charged with two counts of making false statements to obtain property and two counts of securing documents fraudulently. Both suspects were apprehended in the 11000 block of Victory Cavern in far Northwest Bexar County, while Perales was arrested on auto theft charges in the 4400 block of Wrangler Run in Southeast Bexar County.
During the arrests, deputies reported discovering drugs and weapons at at least one location. Sheriff Salazar noted that evidence collected from all three locations effectively linked the suspects together.