North Austin News

During the week of December 15, the Austin Police Department's North Metro Tactical Response Unit joined forces with local retailers and the APD North Criminal Investigations Division to conduct a series of shoplifting blitz operations in North Austin. These operations were carried out on December 16 at Mueller/Capital Plaza Shopping Centers, December 18 at Domain/Arbor Walk/Gateway/Arboretum, and December 20 at Lakeline Mall Area.

On Monday, December 16, several arrests were made. Patrick Edwards was detained after exiting Target Capital Plaza with unpaid items worth $125. He was charged with State Jail Felony Theft. Ahmad Charaf Eddine was apprehended near HEB Mueller for taking $107 in groceries without payment and received a summons for Theft Class B Misdemeanor. Loyd Powell was found with Ryobi power tools from Home Depot valued at $178 and faced charges of State Jail Felony Theft. Rene Soto fled Old Navy Mueller Shopping Center with $172 in clothing but was caught nearby; he faced charges including seven active theft warrants.

The total recovery for Monday amounted to $582.

On Wednesday, December 18, Benjamin Boutin left Lowe’s with unpaid merchandise worth $407.88 and was charged with State Jail Felony Theft. At The Domain, a juvenile arrest followed the discovery of a stolen vehicle linked to juveniles in the area. Terrel Walton was arrested on an outstanding narcotics warrant after being stopped by officers who observed suspected narcotics activity in The Domain parking lot. Araceli Soto and four juveniles were charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity after being involved in car break-ins and thefts at Neiman Marcus; three pairs of jeans valued at $714 were recovered.

Kevin Swallow filled a stolen backpack with tools from Home Depot worth $611.50 and faced charges of State Jail Felony Theft.

Wednesday's total recovery included $1,733.38 in merchandise and three stolen vehicles.

On Friday, December 20, Juan Perez was arrested at HEB for leaving with $135 in unpaid goods. Karla Chandler-Hernandez concealed $45 worth of items in her purse at HEB and faced charges along with an outstanding warrant for failure to pay child support. Michael Nichols took items valued at $49.99 from HEB without paying and was charged accordingly.

Maria Sanchez De La Cruz and Miriam Limon-Sanchez were caught concealing merchandise; both received citations for Theft Class C while Limon-Sanchez also faced drug-related charges after methamphetamine was found on her person.

Donald Sanchez attempted to leave Home Depot with items totaling $829.13 but was detained by officers; he is suspected in other unsolved theft cases around Austin.

Anyone possessing information related to these incidents can submit tips anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.