A late-night snack run turned into a takedown early Saturday when an off-duty El Paso County sheriff's deputy spotted a theft in progress at a Circle K on Joe Battle Boulevard and moved in on a 17-year-old suspect, authorities said.
According to the sheriff's office, the deputy was driving home from his shift around 2:54 a.m. when he saw a theft underway at the Circle K at 2301 Joe Battle Boulevard. Two people allegedly bolted from the store, and the deputy chased them on foot, catching up to one of them in the area.
The suspect, identified by deputies as 17-year-old Jose Rosales, did not go quietly. Officials say Rosales resisted, pushed the deputy, slipped one hand out of his handcuffs, and tried to grab the deputy's service weapon. Despite the struggle, the deputy kept control of his gun until backup deputies arrived, as reported by KVIA.
Booked At Downtown Detention Facility
Rosales was taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility. El Paso County lists the Downtown Detention Facility at 601 E. Overland Ave.
Charges And Recovered Merchandise
According to the sheriff's office, Rosales faces multiple charges: Theft, Evading Arrest or Detention, Escape from Custody and Attempt to Take a Weapon from a Peace Officer. His total bond was set at $9,500, as reported by KVIA.
Deputies recovered $71.62 worth of stolen merchandise, which they described as BuzzBallz bottles and margarita-style wine coolers, and returned it to the store.
What This Means For Shoppers And Clerks
The case shows how a relatively small-dollar theft can quickly spin into a dangerous confrontation for store clerks and responding officers, especially in the overnight hours when staffing is thin and tensions can run high. The investigation remains active, and Rosales is still in custody pending further court proceedings.
