Texas homeowner brings his AK-style rifle — and his armed wife — to confront suspected car thieves. One shot is all it takes.



A man brought his AK-style rifle — and his wife, who also was armed — to confront suspected car thieves early Tuesday morning at an apartment complex in San Antonio, Texas, police told KSAT-TV.

Police said the man got a notification from a security monitoring system that someone was tampering with his vehicle, the station reported.

'Good for the vehicle owner. Wish more of these incidents would turn out like this one.'

The homeowner — armed with an AK-style rifle, and his wife, who was also armed — entered a garage just after 3 a.m. and saw two suspects, one of whom was armed, coming around from behind their vehicle, police told KSAT.

The homeowner fired a shot toward the pair, who then fled in a vehicle, the station reported.

Police said they learned after arriving at the scene that a male had been dropped off at a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound to the back, KSAT noted, adding that the male was soon after transported to another hospital, and his condition is unknown.

Investigators are working to determine if the wounded male is connected to the incident at the apartment complex, the station said. Police also told KSAT he matches the description of the alleged suspect, but he's not cooperating with investigators.

Police didn't indicate if any charges were pending, or if the homeowners’ vehicle was damaged, the station said.

You can view a video report here about the incident.

How are people reacting?

A handful of commenters squarely behind the homeowner chimed in underneath KSAT's story:

  • "Slow clap ..." one commenter wrote.
  • "Good for the vehicle owner," another commenter said. "Wish more of these incidents would turn out like this one."
  • "FAFO," another commenter declared.

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Texas police sweep apartment apparently controlled by vicious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, arrest 20



Law enforcement officials in San Antonio, Texas, conducted a raid on Saturday that led to the arrest of 20 individuals, four of whom were confirmed members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

Over the past year, TDA has rapidly expanded its transnational crime ring into parts of the United States, namely Colorado, Chicago, and New York. In Aurora, Colorado, the gang's members have taken over multiple apartment complexes, Blaze News previously reported.

'We're on to you and we're coming for you.'

TDA members reportedly took over Palatia Apartments, a complex in San Antonio. Authorities confirmed that the gang was "in control of" the property and using it as a base to commit a number of crimes.

According to WOAI-TV, TDA has been involved in prostitution, selling cocaine, and violent crimes.

Law enforcement officers conducted the weekend raid following several complaints involving narcotics violations, human trafficking, and threats made to the complex's personnel, according to San Antonio Police Chief William McManus.

McManus told reporters on Saturday that the sweep was conducted by a task force consisting of officers from the SAPD, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Department of Homeland Security.

"We had information that members of the transnational gang Tren de Aragua were in control of the area and committing various crimes," McManus stated.

Officers cleared nearly 300 vacant apartments at the complex and arrested 20 individuals. One of the TDA gang members who was arrested was a "confirmed enforcer for that gang," according to McManus.

"Currently, there's 19 individuals arrested with 15 detainers," he said, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement's detainer requests.

The confirmed TDA members were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations and ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations.

"They were individuals with confirmed warrants. Multiple individuals had already had removal orders through HSI," McManus added.

He noted that the investigation is still ongoing.

According to McManus, TDA has been operating in the area for "several months."

He stated that the department has other locations that it plans to raid as well in its ongoing effort to clamp down on the gang's influence.

"We assure the community and members of the public that we are committed to their safety and we are on top of this TDA issue that seems to have become very public lately," McManus said.

"We're on to you and we're coming for you. We know where you are," he stated, directing his comments to TDA.

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Deadly police shoot-out involving illegal alien prompts Rep. Roy to demand shelter crime stats



United States Representative Chip Roy (R-Texas) sent a letter on Monday to the San Antonio Police Department’s chief of police demanding crime statistics for shelters housing illegal aliens.

The letter, obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation, asked the SAPD to turn over data detailing the number of calls for service to the San Antonio Migrant Resource Center, which opened in July 2022, and the surrounding area. Roy requested information regarding the reasons for the calls, how many resulted in arrests, and a list of the charges. Additionally, the letter demanded reporting on whether the calls required the presence of a Spanish-speaking officer or interpreter.

A Venezuelan national allegedly shot and killed a 19-year-old residing at the shelter following an altercation.

Roy also requested reporting on how many human smuggling or human trafficking cases the department’s Human Exploitation Unit has been involved in since January 2021.

The congressman’s request for additional information was prompted by a recent deadly shoot-out involving SAPD officers and a 25-year-old illegal alien. In late July, three officers responded to a domestic violence call allegedly involving a female who suffered injuries inflicted by her boyfriend. When police arrived at the residence, the suspect, Jorge Jose Chacon-Gutierrez, reportedly picked up a rifle and opened fire. The officers returned fire, killing the suspect. One of the officers was struck multiple times but did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.

According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Chacon-Gutierrez illegally entered the country in November 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Border officials subsequently released him with an April 2026 court date.

Roy asked the SAPD whether it had previously encountered Chacon-Gutierrez and whether he had ever resided at the shelter.

Roy’s letter noted that another shooting occurred in May near the San Antonio MRC. A Venezuelan national allegedly shot and killed a 19-year-old residing at the shelter following an altercation.

“Since January 2021, at least 626,232 illegal aliens have arrived in San Antonio, most of whom have originated from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, Honduras, and Haiti. From July 7, 2022, when the MRC first opened, to the present, it has provided shelter to at least 345,907 foreign nationals,” Roy wrote to the chief of police.

The congressman noted that his constituents are “rightly concerned about the massive influx of illegal aliens” and “deserve answers on the increased illegal alien population’s impact on public safety.”

Roy requested the department’s responses by August 26.

The SAPD did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.

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Shotgun-toting Texas homeowner fatally shoots intruder who allegedly refused to leave property, lunged at homeowner, wife



A shotgun-toting homeowner in San Antonio, Texas, fatally shot an intruder who allegedly refused to leave his property and lunged at him and his wife.

Police were called to a residence in the 800 block of Allende Drive in the city's west side around 1 a.m. Sunday for a report of a shooting, KEYE-TV reported.

The homeowner reported fearing for his and his wife's safety when the male lunged at them, the station said.

A male came to the home's door, after which the homeowner asked him to leave, investigators told the station.

The male returned a short time later and again was asked to leave, KEYE reported.

Soon after, the homeowner heard noises coming from the back yard, officials told MySanAntonio.com. With that, the homeowner grabbed a shotgun, checked the yard, and again saw the same male, the outlet said.

The homeowner asked the male to leave their yard, but the male lunged at the homeowner and his wife, after which the homeowner fired a shot that hit the male in the stomach, MySanAntonio.com reported.

Police and medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures, but the male, believed to be around 47 years old, was pronounced dead at the scene, KEYE reported.

The homeowner reported fearing for his and his wife's safety when the male lunged at them, the station said, adding that no charges have been filed against the homeowner as police continue their investigation.

Reportedly neither the homeowner nor his wife were injured during the incident, KEYE said.

How are observers reacting?

Commenters underneath the KEYE Facebook post about the incident were divided regarding the outcome. Some sided with the homeowner who fired the fatal shot:

  • "Yep won't try that again," one commenter said.
  • "Good," another commenter noted. "Reimburse the man for the ammo expended."
  • "F around and find out," another commenter stated.
  • "This is the way," another user wrote.

But two commenters didn't see it that way:

  • "This should NEVER be the way," one user said. "Call the police and homeowners don't go outside placing yourselves in danger. This loss of life should have never happened. Taking a life should only be up [to] GOD [no one] else. Prayers to everyone."
  • "Probably didn't have to shoot to kill," another commenter wrote. "Typical."

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Nonprofit Group Misused Taxpayer Dollars To Fly Migrants Around US, Dem Rep Alleges

'Milk and honey place'

Homeowner sees punks stealing from his SUV in his driveway around midnight. They shoot at him amid getaway — he returns fire.



A San Antonio, Texas, homeowner said he opened fire after robbers who were stealing from his SUV in his driveway last month shot at him during their getaway.

What are the details?

Police said two young males holding guns burglarized a vehicle in the 8900 block of Rue De Lis Street around midnight March 8. Police released video of the incident Thursday.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

Evelio Soto and his family were headed to bed at the time, and Soto told KENS-TV that his wife saw on her phone two people approaching their home.

Police said one male entered the car and took a box of ammunition from the vehicle while the other male served as a lookout. A KENS video report indicates that the vehicle was unlocked.

Soto told KENS he was concerned they were going to break into his home, so he got out of bed and grabbed his gun.

He noted to the station that he headed down the stairs, opened the front door, and saw a person inside his SUV become frightened.

Soto added to KENS that the suspect ran off down the driveway and into a "getaway" vehicle.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

He added to the station that the lookout fired his gun while trying to get into the getaway car, and Soto said he returned fire.

"He tried to close the door, and he couldn't," Soto told KENS. "That's when he shot, and that's when I returned fire, and they took off."

Image source: YouTube screenshot

Soto shot at the ground twice after the second suspect shot at him once, the station said.

No one inside the home was hurt, including Soto, KENS reported.

Police concluded their Facebook post about the incident with a reminder: "Remember to keep your guns locked up and lock the doors of your car."

But Soto told KENS the problem isn't that his SUV was unlocked; rather criminals are the problem, and he and his family should be able to feel safe in their neighborhood no matter what precautions they take.

"This is my home," he told the station. "If I wanna leave my car unlocked, if I wanna leave my door unlocked, I should be able to. The parents of these kids, they should be taking care of their kids and watching what they're doing."

If you have any information about these suspects, police said to call 210-207-7969, KENS added.

Homeowner shoots at two suspected thieves rummaging through car youtu.be

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Thugs armed with guns allegedly try to rob vape shop, but employee isn't having it, chases crooks outside and fights them



Two males armed with guns entered a vape shop in San Antonio, Texas, over the weekend and tried to steal merchandise — but an employee was in no mood to play and actually chased them out of the store and fought with them outside.

What happened?

Police told KENS-TV they responded to Vape City on FM 78 at Foster Road, near Rittiman Road, around 10:35 p.m. Saturday for reports of an aggravated robbery and possible shooting.

When officers arrived, they were told two males armed with guns tried to take items from the store, but one of the employees chased them outside, the station said.

With that, a struggle ensued, KENS said, adding that one of the suspects pulled out a gun and fired it. Police told the station they believe the suspects fled on foot after the shooting.

Officers are trying to determine if the suspect shot toward the employee or into the air, KENS said, adding that no one was wounded, and the building was not hit by gunfire, either.

Police will continue their investigation, the station said.

Shots fired by suspects in attempted robbery at local vape shop youtu.be

Other vape shops in city targeted

A male allegedly demanded money and merchandise at gunpoint from another Vape City — this one on Southwest Military Drive near I-35 — and fled the scene once the employee handed over the money, WOAI-TV reported.

Security camera video of the robbery identified the suspect's vehicle, after which the vape shop employee identified 48-year-old Theodore Sanchez Jr. from a photo lineup, the station said. Sanchez was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and taken to jail on $100,000 bail, WOAI added.

In another incident, a male arrived at Carter's Smoke and Vape shop near the 500 block of South Zarzamora around 7 p.m. Jan. 13, pointed a gun at an employee, allegedly stole multiple items, and fled on foot, KABB-TV said.

Police examined surveillance video and got fingerprints at the scene, and the victim identified 25-year-old Elixier Cabrerra Neira, who was not wearing a mask or gloves, the station said.

Neira was charged and arrested for aggravated robbery and taken to jail on a $75,000 bond, KABB reported.

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Texas woman who allegedly stole $103 million from Army got to retire with full benefits



A 57-year-old San Antonio woman allegedly stole over $103 million from from the U.S. Army by regularly drawing funds via a fake children's development entity that she controlled. Janet Yamanaka Mello reportedly blew the funds on herself, buying 80 high-end vehicles, 100 head of cattle, 31 homes, and various luxury items.

Although Mello was indicted last month and slapped with 10 charges related to the alleged fraud scheme, she was permitted to retire with full benefits from the Army.

The con

Mello, a native of Guam, worked as a civilian Army employee at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston where she supposedly helped administer the 4-H initiative via the Army's Child and Youth Services Division, according to court documents.

Sidelong to her work for the Army, she created a shell company called Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development in 2016. She included CHYLD in her 2017 personal tax forms, indicating she earned a profit of $483 on a revenue of $2,152 for training consultations, reported the San Antonio Express-News.

Court documents indicate that Mello "used her knowledge of funding procedures and her ability to approve the distribution of funds to various entities to direct funds from CYS program fund accounts to be paid to CHYLD, an entity MELLO formed and controlled. Without disclosing the fact that she owned and controlled CHYLD, MELLO approved the payment of government funds to CHYLD."

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service reportedly sent over 40 payments to Mello's outfit over the course of the alleged scam. Mello allegedly spread the ill-gotten gains through various bank accounts she controlled, failing to report any of this income on her tax returns for tax years 2017 through 2022.

While Mello claimed that CHYLD provided 4-H services to military personnel and their families, the Department of Justice indicated the company did not provide any services. Instead, Mello has been accused of using over $103 million on "high-end retail goods, jewelry, luxury automobiles, air travel, and high-end real estate throughout the country."

ArmyTimes reported that Mello's purchases included a roughly $3.1 million, eight-bedroom, 55-car garage 58-acre estate in Maryland as well as a $1.1 million home in San Antonio.

Mello allegedly managed to buy a fleet of vehicles, including a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS, a '66 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, a '66 Ford Mustang, a '54 Chevrolet Corvette, a 1935 Plymouth Sedan, and various cars that usually run upward of $100,000 to $200,000.

Extra to cars and mansions, Mello allegedly bought various luxury condos, spent $24.3 million on "retail," took trips around the globe, and purchased 100 head of cattle.

Caught

The Express-News indicated that upon noticing a discrepancy between Mello's multimillionaire lifestyle and what would otherwise be affordable on her under $130,000 annual salary, the IRS began digging. The agency soon launched a criminal probe in concert with Army investigators, resulting in her December indictment.

Mello was arrested in December and charged with five counts of mail fraud, four counts of engaging in a monetary transaction over $10,000 using criminally derived proceeds, and one count of aggravated identity theft, according to the DOJ.

Mello was charged with identity theft because Mello allegedly forged her supervisor's digital signature, reported the Express-News. She also appears to have invented a "financial analyst/reimbursable coordinator" named Kathy Johnson to lend greater credibility to the alleged fraud scheme.

The alleged con-woman faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for each fraud charge, up to 10 years in prison for each spending statute charge, and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for the identity theft charge.

Cushy retirement, notwithstanding

Despite allegedly ripping off the Army and squandering taxpayer money for her own amusement, Mello was allowed to retire with full benefits.

A spokeswoman for the Army's Installation Management Command told the Express-News that Mello was permitted to retire during the investigation into her alleged fraud scheme.

"The command has no authority to impact Ms. Mello's retirement," said the spokeswoman. "In accordance with 5 U.S. Code Section 8312, an individual may be denied an annuity or retired pay on the basis of the service of the individual, if the individual is convicted of treason, rebellion or insurrection, or other similar offenses. There is no similar statutory authority for denying retired pay based on a conviction of other offenses."

Albert Flores defended Mello's decision to retire and collect additional benefits from the taxpayer, claiming, "She earned it."

"I don't see how one thing is related to the other," added Flores.

Although Mello pleaded not guilty in December, her lawyer indicated Mello has blown and or possessed the stolen assets.

"We expect a large portion of the assets will be recovered," said Flores. "In other words, a lot of the money was spent on tangible assets that the government can (recoup) — real estate, cash, vehicles, properties, things of that nature. We're being very cooperative in anything we can to turn that over."

The DOJ is now working to seize 31 parcels of land Mello acquired in various states along with cash and 78 personal cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas reportedly is awaiting a decision on whether the alleged fraudster will strike a plea deal or go to trial.

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Soros Nonprofit Bailed Out Violent Criminal Charged In Texas Shooting Spree

Shane James, the 34-year-old charged with two counts of capital murder after allegedly gunning down six people and injuring three in Texas this week, was reportedly let out of prison before the killing spree thanks to the George Soros-funded Texas Organizing Project (TOP). Officers suspect James killed his parents overnight Monday or early Tuesday in […]

Police capture suspect following 'grisly' Texas murder spree that left 6 dead and 2 police officers injured



Police have a suspect in custody following a string of brutal attacks that left six dead and two police officers wounded Tuesday in Texas.

Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson indicated Tuesday night that it was unclear until the last incident occurred that the attacks were connected.

"We strongly believe one suspect is responsible for all of the incidents," said Henderson.

Although the investigation is in the early stages, officials believe the same man is responsible for four slayings in Austin and another two in San Antonio.

According to the Travis County Sheriff's Office, the Austin Police Department booked 34-year-old Shane James into the Travis County Jail early Wednesday morning. James was charged with capital murder of multiple persons and with various unstated out-of-county misdemeanors.

Henderson indicated that James was also booked for an outstanding assault with injury/family violence warrant and that further charges are pending.

Around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, an Austin Independent School District police officer was shot in the leg in a parking lot at Northeast Early College High School in east Austin, said Henderson.

Austin School District Police Chief Wayne Sneed indicated the sergeant who had been hit radioed around 10:40 a.m. that he was taking gunfire. Sneed said the sergeant is in stable condition.

The high school went into lockdown for several hours until given the all-clear.

Before it was understood that the shooter was only getting started, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement, "Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of the Austin ISD police officer who was shot near Northeast Early College High School today. ... The State of Texas is offering all available resources to local law enforcement partners who are working to ensure this dangerous criminal is caught and brought to justice."

Around noon, police responded to reports of gunshots at a home in the 7300 block of Shadywood Drive. One victim was pronounced dead on the scene, and the other later died at hospital, said Henderson.

A source told KTBC-TV that the noontime slayings involved a handyman and a female witness.

According to the source, the suspect shot a handyman who had been sitting in his car outside a home through the passenger window. A woman inside the home came out to investigate the source of the commotion. Upon seeing what had just taken place, she apparently took off running, but the suspect overtook her and gunned her down, said the source.

The suspect then allegedly returned to the handyman's vehicle, dumped his corpse on the road, and drove off in the stolen vehicle.

The suspect allegedly resumed his rampage just before 5 p.m., shooting a male cyclist on W. Slaughter Lane and leaving him with non-life-threatening injuries.

Two hours later, police responded to a call of a burglary in progress at a home on Austral Loop in the Circle C neighborhood, where they later found two dead victims.

According to Henderson, at the scene of the double homicide and burglary, police spotted a man lurking in the back yard. The suspect immediately opened fire at police, and an officer responded in kind.

The officer, a 12-year veteran of the Austin Police Department, was struck multiple times in the exchange but is reportedly in stable condition.

The suspect, unscathed in the gunfight, fled the scene in a vehicle, and police gave chase. Following a 15-minute high-speed chase, the suspect crashed the vehicle around 7:14 p.m. at the intersection of South Highway 45 and FM1826 and was apprehended.

— (@)

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar told reporters that the suspect may be linked to a double homicide in San Antonio. A couple in their 50s were found stuffed into the bedroom of a house that Salazar indicated James has an unspecified connection to.

"No one deserves to die the way they did," said Salazar.

The San Antonio slayings, which Salazar said were "grisly," took place prior to the Austin shootings.

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