Harris County Sheriff’s Office District 5 deputies charged two men with felony theft and evading arrest after they were observed stealing patio furniture from a grocery store in north west Harris County.
Deputies say that Santos Garza, 37, (DOB 07/11/80) and Jesse Mireles, 32, (DOB 07/31/85), were two of the men involved in the incident.
On Friday, May 25, 2018, at around 2:20 this morning, a Harris County Sheriff’s Office Robbery Division sergeant was fueling his unmarked unit at Kroger’s Grocery Store Service Station located at 13135 Louetta Road.
While fueling his vehicle, the sergeant on-viewed several suspects occupying two pickup trucks loading several sets of patio furniture and grilles in to the bed of one of the trucks.
He began following the suspects and notified Northwest District 5 Dispatcher of the theft and direction of travel.
Responding units immediately proceeded toward the direction of travel and the sergeant advised one of the trucks crashed at Louetta Road and Malcomson Road.
Garza and Mireles were seen fleeing from the truck and running to a wooded area.
Deputies set up a perimeter in the immediate area and Harris County K-9 Units, along with Department of Public Safety (DPS) Helicopter Unit #102 joined in the search.
A K9 deputy deployed his canine partner, who successfully tracked Garza into a tree line area, while identifying himself and giving warnings.
Garza remained hidden in high grass and trees, until the K9 deputy and partner were just a few feet from where he was hiding.
He then suddenly rose up from the concealment and the canine made contact with his right upper arm causing minor injury.
Garza was transported to Saint Luke Vintage Hospital Emergency Room by Cypress Creek Ambulance for treatment. He was later released in good condition.
Mireles was tracked to a brush line an d taken into custody without incident.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office was presented the facts of the case, and charges of felony theft and misdemeanor evading on both suspects were accepted.
Deputies are confident of identifying the subjects that occupied the other truck that was able to elude units.
GARZA
MIRELES
