Lytle, Texas became the backdrop for a peculiar theft this past weekend, as a woman dubbed the "Beef Tongue Bandit" was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle $150 worth of beef tongues, among other items totaling $308, from a local H-E-B store. KTSA reports that a local police officer, present at the time, intervened as 36-year-old Roxanne Hernandez tried to exit the store with unpaid merchandise; what ensued was a scuffle and subsequent arrest.
The incident quickly escalated, drawing in Hernandez’s husband who entered the fray at the H-E-B on McDonald Street, he began to feud with the officers which prolonged the confrontation, according to KENS 5. Backup was called, and together the officers managed to subdue and detain Hernandez, who is now facing several theft charges and residing at the Atascosa County Jail, pending further legal proceedings.
While the monetary value stolen might not seem significant, the spectacle created by the attempted theft and the involvement of law enforcement adds a layer of complexity to this local crime story. Lytle Police Chief Richey Maxey described the altercation, "Her husband showed up and escalated the situation", Maxey said, "We were able to calm him down and get her under arrest," as KENS 5 details. Investigations are ongoing and updates will follow as the legal process unfolds.
