APD Gathers Intelligence Leading to Arrest of Habitual Burglar
By: APD Press Release
Updated: January 11, 2013
At about 4:38 p.m. Friday January 4, officers with the Street Crimes Unit (SCU) and Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT), along with agents with the Special Operations Division, executed an evidentiary search warrant at a residence in the 2000 block of North 19 Street.
In the weeks leading up to this search warrant, a concerted intelligence-led investigation, led by members of the Responsive Intelligence Division, netted important information that kept members of SCU on the trail of a potential north side residential burglar. The original burglary occurred in the 1800 block of Swenson Street in November 2012.
The preliminary investigation lasted several weeks and involved information gathering, sharing and surveillance. The investigation connected the many dots gleaned from evidence and analysis gathered from three additional residential burglaries. This operation culminated in the execution of the search warrant and the arrest of a key suspect.
During the search warrant, SWAT made entry into the residence where four people were located and detained. Andres I. Avila,23, and Juan Martinez Jr. 52, were two of the occupants. Mr. Martinez Jr. was identified as the homeowner. A 15-year old juvenile runaway was also located and placed in custody before being released to Child Protective Services.
Mr. Avila surrendered a felonious amount of marijuana during this operation and several pieces of stolen property were recovered and seized from inside the residence. A records check confirmed what had already been learned prior to the search warrant; that Mr. Avila was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for the offense of Aggravated Robbery out of Callahan County.
Mr. Avila was taken to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning. Mr. Martinez was arrested on a misdemeanor arrest warrant (Driving While License Invalid).
The investigation revealed that Mr. Avila was the sole mastermind behind several north side residential burglaries committed in Abilene from October to December. Mr. Avila was arrested for state jail felony Possession of Marijuana and for the felony Aggravated Robbery warrant. Additionally, a federal immigration hold has been placed on Mr. Avila. He was arrested and taken to Taylor County Jail on bonds totaling $153,500.
We anticipate filing criminal burglary cases with the Taylor County District Attorney's office for consideration of charges.
This investigation is still on-going and more details may be released as the investigation allows.
In the weeks leading up to this search warrant, a concerted intelligence-led investigation, led by members of the Responsive Intelligence Division, netted important information that kept members of SCU on the trail of a potential north side residential burglar. The original burglary occurred in the 1800 block of Swenson Street in November 2012.
The preliminary investigation lasted several weeks and involved information gathering, sharing and surveillance. The investigation connected the many dots gleaned from evidence and analysis gathered from three additional residential burglaries. This operation culminated in the execution of the search warrant and the arrest of a key suspect.
During the search warrant, SWAT made entry into the residence where four people were located and detained. Andres I. Avila,23, and Juan Martinez Jr. 52, were two of the occupants. Mr. Martinez Jr. was identified as the homeowner. A 15-year old juvenile runaway was also located and placed in custody before being released to Child Protective Services.
Mr. Avila surrendered a felonious amount of marijuana during this operation and several pieces of stolen property were recovered and seized from inside the residence. A records check confirmed what had already been learned prior to the search warrant; that Mr. Avila was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for the offense of Aggravated Robbery out of Callahan County.
Mr. Avila was taken to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning. Mr. Martinez was arrested on a misdemeanor arrest warrant (Driving While License Invalid).
The investigation revealed that Mr. Avila was the sole mastermind behind several north side residential burglaries committed in Abilene from October to December. Mr. Avila was arrested for state jail felony Possession of Marijuana and for the felony Aggravated Robbery warrant. Additionally, a federal immigration hold has been placed on Mr. Avila. He was arrested and taken to Taylor County Jail on bonds totaling $153,500.
We anticipate filing criminal burglary cases with the Taylor County District Attorney's office for consideration of charges.
This investigation is still on-going and more details may be released as the investigation allows.
