Early Friday morning Montgomery County Precinct 4 Deputies were on routine patrol when they decided to check the rear of the Porter Wal-Mart near the automotive center. As one unit pulled up to the side lot an older model maroon vehicle sped out of the drive and onto the freeway. Just as they were about to go after it a U-Haul truck was spotted in the back attempting to flee also but were blocked in by patrol units.
At the same time they were notified by Wal-Mart Loss Prevention that an alarm was sounding on the caged area behind automotive where old batteries taken off customers vehicles are stored.
Deputies detained two suspects and investigated further. What they found was store video showing the pair using a portable grinder to cut the chain on the lock. They believe the vehicle that fled was the look out vehicle.
Inside the U-haul deputies found the grinder and were able to place the two under arrest.
Jahime Esnel Solis Jr., 24, of 3627 Claverton in Houston is now in the Montgomery County Jail on a charge of engaging in organized criminal activity, a felony.
Desbrian Marquise Cooper, 24, of 12550 JFK in Houston was arrested and charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.
They were able to identify the driver of the lookout vehicle and are searching for him.
With today’s scrap prices used car batteries are getting $10 to $18.
