Two theft suspects were arrested after Montgomery County deputies allegedly found more than $3,000 worth of stolen merchandise and tools used to remove anti-theft devices inside their vehicle.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said the arrests happened on Oct. 1 after deputies located two known retail theft suspects leaving a Ross store on Lake Woodlands Drive in The Woodlands Township.
Deputies watched as the suspects got into a vehicle and drove away, then stopped them in the 26000 block of Interstate 45 South near Nursery Road.
Inside the vehicle, MCSO deputies said they found a large amount of stolen merchandise along with specialized instruments used to remove anti-theft security devices.
A Lot of Merchandise
MCSO identified the suspects as 50-year-old Jose Martinez and 39-year-old Jackelin Mendez. The sheriff’s office said both are Houston residents.
Deputies said the stolen merchandise was worth more than $3,000, although they did not state exactly what the pair allegedly stole. The property is expected to be returned to the retailer.
Deputies also found specialized instruments allegedly used to remove anti-theft security devices from merchandise.
Texas law makes it a Class A misdemeanor to possess a shielding or deactivation instrument with the intent to use it to commit theft. The law specifically includes tools used to remove security tags from retail merchandise in its definition of a shielding or deactivation instrument.
The Arrests and Charges
Martinez and Mendez were arrested and taken to the Montgomery County Jail.
Booking information shows Martinez was booked on Oct. 2 and charged with possession, manufacture, or distribution of an instrument to commit retail theft. The charge carries a $750 bond, and Martinez remains in custody with an ICE hold.
Mendez was booked on Oct. 1 on the same charge. She was also given a $750 bond and remains in custody with an ICE hold.
As of publication, no additional charges for organized retail theft had been filed against either suspect. The sheriff’s office said both suspects could face additional charges as the investigation continues.
What the ICE Hold Means
ICE describes an immigration detainer as a request asking law enforcement to notify ICE before releasing someone and, in some cases, hold the person for up to 48 hours so DHS can assume custody.
They also say that detainers are issued after probable cause is established that someone is removable from the United States. An ICE hold does not automatically mean someone will be deported, and the hold is still present as of publication.
More Charges Could Still Come
According to the sheriff’s office, Martinez and Mendez are suspects in multiple retail thefts across other jurisdictions. Additional out-of-county charges could still be filed as the investigation continues.
No other details were provided about the other alleged thefts or where they occurred.
Martinez and Mendez are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.