Mayor Kirk Watson, City Of Austin | Facebook
Mayor Kirk Watson, City Of Austin | Facebook
In September 2024, the Austin Police Department's North Metro Tactical Response Unit initiated an investigation into organized retail theft. This was prompted by a report from a Victoria’s Secret Organized Retail Crime Investigator who identified three individuals linked to over a dozen high-value thefts in the Austin area. These thefts resulted in significant losses for the company and were also connected to additional incidents across Central Texas.
Following the investigation, four individuals from Austin—Sofia Hernandez, Angelica Chavez, Joe Garcia, and Lisa Vasquez—were arrested on charges related to theft. Law enforcement executed two residential search warrants during which they seized approximately 2,000 pieces of suspected stolen merchandise valued at around $57,000. The items belonged to more than 40 different retailers. Additionally, a stolen handgun was recovered.
The suspects face various charges: Sofia Hernandez is charged with multiple felony counts of theft; Angelica Chavez faces multiple felony counts of theft; Joe Garcia is charged with multiple counts of felony theft and robbery by threat; Lisa Vasquez faces a felony count of organized retail theft.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to submit tips anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.