SAPD Det. Wong, working with the cooperation of K-Mart Loss Prevention staff, was able to identify, track, video-tape and finally arrest-in-the-act, a woman who was stealing large numbers of CD's from K-Mart stores and then selling them to used CD stores. The suspect, identified as Teresita Gomez of San Antonio, worked as a vendor rep for a company that supplies CD's to K-Mart stores. However, after stocking the CD's in a store, Gomez would take back a large number, conceal them on her person, leave the store, and then sell the CD's and keep the money. Det. Wong first observed Gomez selling nearly 100 new CD's at a used CD store in June, then saw her doing the same a few weeks later. He tried to identify her through vehicle registration and the store log, but discovered this information was fictitious. After making contact with K-Mart Loss prevention staff, who were able to identify Gomez and her position as a CD vendor rep, Wong and K-Mart conducted detailed surveillance of Gomez while she conducted her thefts at several locations. In addition, Wong, assisted by SAPD's Repeat Offenders Unit (ROP) and the SAPD helicopter, observed Gomez while she sold the stolen CD's at various locations. In September SAPD and K-Mart were able to detain and arrest Gomez in the act of stealing CD's at one of the stores. Gomez subsequently admitted to over $32,000 in thefts in less than a year. K-Mart Loss Prevention was able to produce additional evidence of thefts that may total over $73,000. Det. Wong is currently gathering and compiling evidence on the recorded thefts and is working with the Bexar County DA's Office to aggregate the thefts into one felony offense. CONGRATULATIONS to Det. Wong and the K-Mart Loss Prevention staff! This is an excellent example of law enforcement and businesses working together to solve crimes and prevent further losses and crimes from occurring.

Prue SAFFE and Prue Patrol officers recently arrested Robert Gayton (WM 10-04-77) and John Canales (LM 02-12-68) for Vehicle Burglary. Detective Zuniga has identified 24 different cases these burglars were responsible for, and recovered a total of $54,000 in property to date. Det. Zuniga is also working with Vehicle Theft as these actors were using a stolen vehicle the day they were arrested.

Some good work by several SAPD Patrol officers coordinated by Forgery Detective Johnson resulted in the Secret Service apprehending 3 individuals passing counterfeit traveler's checks during early July at a hotel near Fiesta Texas. The group was out of California and had rental cars and 15 fake California IDs, along with over $40,000.00 in bogus $100.00 traveler's checks. Their MO was to make a small purchase and pay with a $100 traveler's check, then pocket the $90+ in change.

Jesse Moreno, DOB 06-28-71, was arrested recently for robbing four businesses in the West Patrol Area during 2002: Walgrens on W. Commerce, Freds Fish Fry on Hwy 90, Church's Chicken on Old Hwy 90, and Subway on Castroville Road. In all four cases, Moreno walked in with a gun and demanded the money from the register, then escaped in a 4-door maroon pickup truck. Contact Det. Foster at West, 207-7703, if you have more information on these or similar cases.

The person pictured at the left, CHAD VERNON TOENES, recently defrauded two large local banks on a check kiting scheme resulting in a loss to both banks of approximately $20,000. Surveillance cameras provided the proof of this suspect's identity and involvement. There is a FELONY WARRANT for the arrest of Chad Vernon Toenes. If you have any information, please contact Prue Property Crimes, 207-7459. If you need more information concerning installing a video surveillance system, please contact Det. Mike Kubena, 207-7579.