(January 6, 2009)

ALICE--In Jim Wells County, five people are behind bars, charged for a rash of burglaries in the area. Investigators said they may be tied to several other crimes in the Coastal Bend.

Investigators said these criminals have been victimizing many people in Jim Wells County. After interviewing them, they are now linked to other property crimes in Kingsville and Corpus Christi.

Five alice residents are in custody accused in at least 20 burglaries from Orange Grove to Alice during the month of December. Investigators said they burglarized homes and cars and took electronics, computers, guns and anything of value.

"It's pretty much they go in there and check what is in there and they'll go through everything," said Sgt. Johnny Perez of the Jim Wells County Sheriff's Department. "If it's anything they want and they can sell quick, they'll take it."

The five got caught after they broke into a home in Alice on Christmas night. The homeowner shot one of the suspects and they left this license plate behind when they made their getaway. More than a week later, they found that suspect injured in the shooting.

"From there, we went on," Sgt. Perez said. "One led to another. Another name led to another name and we started getting this chain of people and they started falling down one by one."

Investigators said these criminals, who were from the late teens to the late 20's, didn't work and relied on a life of crime to get money for drinking and drugs. In one case, a criminal took a picture of himself after committing a crime.

"Naive I guess (to) show off, trying to prove something that they can do it," said Sgt. Perez. "I don't what they think so that's pretty concrete."

Investigators said the criminals confessed to committing crimes in Kingsville and Corpus Christi. They could face similar charges in Nueces and Kleberg County soon.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com