The Bexar County Sheriff's Office has arrested a fourth suspect linked to an auto theft ring. Sheriff Javier Salazar announced that 18-year-old Ashton Garcia surrendered over the weekend and is now in custody. He was jailed on Sunday for a theft charge involving property valued between $30,000 and $150,000, but posted the $40,000 bail set by a judge and was released by Monday morning, as per a report by KSAT.
This case has become complex, involving technology to duplicate key fobs and steal targeted vehicles like Dodge Chargers and Challengers. Ashton Garcia is just one part of a broader crime saga in the community. Before his arrest, authorities apprehended three other suspects—Bryan Salazar, Jocelyn Guzman, and Isaiah Perales—on Thursday last week, who are also believed to be involved in the auto theft operations.
The three arrested individuals may be linked to a drive-by shooting from last May that resulted in the death of a four-year-old girl. Reports suggest that Bryan Salazar and Isaiah Perales were identified as masked gunmen in surveillance footage of the incident. Sheriff Salazar expressed hope that these arrests will lead to further developments in the case while acknowledging their potential connections to a larger crime network, according to the MySanAntonio report.
During the arrests, Bexar County deputies discovered drugs and weapons at one location, indicating a range of illegal activities beyond auto theft. Investigators also found a sophisticated device for cloning key fobs, which could provide more leads for further charges. Evidence from various scenes has connected all suspects to the crimes.
While most of this crew is now in custody, the investigation is ongoing. Sheriff Salazar acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating that it's a relief to have the suspects detained. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office encourages anyone with information about the case to contact them at 210-335-6000 or email [email protected].
