Officer Catches Three Fleeing Burglars

Occurred on 2/19/13, 10:50pm   Burglary of a Habitation 4900 Monitor    1302190156

Senior Officers J. Smith and J. Alejandro responded to a residence in the 4900 block of Monitor for a burglary in progress. The homeowner told the police dispatcher several males had burglarized his home and he last saw them jumping the fence and running towards Monitor Street.

Officer Alejandro talked to the complainant, while Officer Smith searched the area.   Officer Smith located the three men as they walked westbound in the 3700 block of S. Padre Island Drive. One of the men, Vinson Joe Landa (11/14/94) was carrying a weed eater.  Landa along with Elias Rodriguez (05/10/95) and John David Garcia (01/03/94) were arrested.

All three were booked at City Detention Center and charged with Burglary of a Habitation which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.  The weed eater valued at $270 was returned to the victim.