Brownsville TX Mar 15 2009
Two men are behind bars and detectives are closing in on a third suspect in connection with the robbery of an armored check cashing van last month, police said.
On Thursday morning, police arrested 31-year-old Miguel Morales at an undisclosed location and charged him with aggravated robbery for his part in the heist, said police spokesman Sgt. Jimmy Manrrique.
Police said Hector Garza, of an unknown age and still on the run, also was involved in the theft of the PMC Check Cashing armored van and contained more than $250,000, Manrrique said. Garza has been charged with aggravated robbery.
According to police, the theft took place on Feb. 5 when a check-cashing employee drove the van to her home at 6912 Vivero St.
“When she exited the van to open the fence they attacked her and robbed the van,” Manrrique said. “They opened the safe with power tools and stole the cash.”
Police investigators said the group originally wanted to target people cashing checks at the mobile service. However, the suspects instead decided to rob the vehicle itself.
After the heist, the group began spending large amounts of money at local nightclubs and buying high priced items.
“We seized a 2003 Lincoln Town Car that was paid with $7,000 cash,” Manrrique said. “They were also buying furniture for their families. Primarily they were buying cocaine and crack cocaine to resell it on the streets.”
On February 19, police arrested Garza’s 29 year-old brother, Reynaldo Garza, who was charged at the time with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Police also seized $14,000 cash believed to be drug proceeds, Manrrique said.
Investigators linked Reynaldo Garza to the drug ring funded by the drug heist money and charged him with felony theft for taking money from the armored car heist for personal gain, police said.
“He was not directly involved the robbery itself, but he did take money from it,” police said.
Police are still looking for Hector Garza who was involved in the robbery.
“He is considered the mastermind of this robbery and he is considered armed and dangerous,” Manrrique said.
Anyone with information should call Brownsville Police Crime Stoppers at 546-TIPS (8477).
Two men are behind bars and detectives are closing in on a third suspect in connection with the robbery of an armored check cashing van last month, police said.
On Thursday morning, police arrested 31-year-old Miguel Morales at an undisclosed location and charged him with aggravated robbery for his part in the heist, said police spokesman Sgt. Jimmy Manrrique.
Police said Hector Garza, of an unknown age and still on the run, also was involved in the theft of the PMC Check Cashing armored van and contained more than $250,000, Manrrique said. Garza has been charged with aggravated robbery.
According to police, the theft took place on Feb. 5 when a check-cashing employee drove the van to her home at 6912 Vivero St.
“When she exited the van to open the fence they attacked her and robbed the van,” Manrrique said. “They opened the safe with power tools and stole the cash.”
Police investigators said the group originally wanted to target people cashing checks at the mobile service. However, the suspects instead decided to rob the vehicle itself.
After the heist, the group began spending large amounts of money at local nightclubs and buying high priced items.
“We seized a 2003 Lincoln Town Car that was paid with $7,000 cash,” Manrrique said. “They were also buying furniture for their families. Primarily they were buying cocaine and crack cocaine to resell it on the streets.”
On February 19, police arrested Garza’s 29 year-old brother, Reynaldo Garza, who was charged at the time with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Police also seized $14,000 cash believed to be drug proceeds, Manrrique said.
Investigators linked Reynaldo Garza to the drug ring funded by the drug heist money and charged him with felony theft for taking money from the armored car heist for personal gain, police said.
“He was not directly involved the robbery itself, but he did take money from it,” police said.
Police are still looking for Hector Garza who was involved in the robbery.
“He is considered the mastermind of this robbery and he is considered armed and dangerous,” Manrrique said.
Anyone with information should call Brownsville Police Crime Stoppers at 546-TIPS (8477).
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