A San Antonio man has been arrested in connection with the theft of music equipment from Tejano band Grupo Siggno, following an investigation by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and the Property Crimes Task Force.
The theft occurred on Sept. 23, when the band reported that their equipment, valued at thousands of dollars, was stolen from a rented U-Haul truck on the city’s Southeast Side. Although authorities recovered the rented truck on the same day, the stolen gear remained missing, leaving the band devastated and without their essential equipment for upcoming performances.
However, the investigation took a turn on Sept. 29, when Paul Ortiz, 37, attempted to sell the stolen equipment through Facebook. He tried to offer the items to a promoter who had been informed about the theft. The promoter, suspicious of the offer, requested photos of the equipment from Ortiz. Ortiz complied, sending images of the gear to a representative of Grupo Siggno, who immediately confirmed that the items were theirs.
This led the band to alert the authorities, and the Property Crimes Task Force took swift action. Through surveillance video and research into Ortiz’s social media, law enforcement officers were able to connect him to the theft, ultimately leading to his arrest.
Ortiz is now facing felony theft charges for his role in the crime. His bond has not yet been set as investigations continue.
The Grupo Siggno incident highlights the growing trend of online marketplaces being used by thieves to sell stolen goods, and the importance of vigilance in tracking stolen items through social media and digital platforms.