El Paso police and Crime Stoppers are asking for the public’s help to identify a man caught on surveillance video scratching obscenities into a parked vehicle at the Walmart on Alameda Avenue, leaving a long gouge along the driver’s side. The damage occurred around 2:55 p.m. on Oct. 17, and the case was pushed back into the spotlight when Crime Stoppers posted photos and details on Monday. According to authorities, anyone whose tip leads to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward and can remain anonymous.
What Police Say Happened
The suspect was first seen on video rubbing his hand along the car from the left rear passenger area toward the driver’s door, then appearing to pick up an object and use it to carve profanities into the paint, according to reporting by NetNoticias. That account matches details released by investigators and places the incident in the Mission Valley area outside the Walmart at 9441 Alameda. As of now, investigators have not announced any arrests.
Suspect Description And How To Tip
Crime Stoppers’ Facebook post includes still images and a physical description of the man, described as a clean-shaven white male wearing a black T-shirt featuring the Virgin Mary, a white and black baseball cap, black glasses, khaki shorts, gray socks, and gray Vans, based on surveillance images and eyewitness accounts. The organization is asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 915-566-8477 or submit tips online at cselpaso.org. Tips are anonymous and may qualify for a cash award, according to the post and the group’s website. Crime Stoppers of El Paso's Facebook post includes the photos and the full request for information.
Possible Charges Under Texas Law
Deliberately carving or writing on someone else’s vehicle could be prosecuted under Texas Penal Code §28.03 as criminal mischief, which specifically covers making markings on tangible property and scales penalties by the cost to repair the damage. The statute lays out a range of misdemeanor and felony charges depending on the pecuniary loss, so the exact charge would hinge on the estimated repair bill. For the statute’s full text and penalty tiers, see the state code: Texas Penal Code §28.03.
Why Officials Share Photos With The Public
Posting images through Crime Stoppers is a routine tactic that lets police extend their reach beyond patrols and neighborhood canvassing, and local outlets often amplify those appeals to get the images in front of more people. Local TV and digital news organizations have repeatedly featured Crime Stoppers images when authorities are looking for witnesses or trying to identify suspects, and those tips sometimes lead to arrests, according to coverage by KVIA. Investigators hope the Walmart case will follow that pattern and that the wider circulation of these photos will generate a solid lead.
