Story Created:
Dec 9, 2009 at 7:19 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Dec 9, 2009 at 7:19 PM CDT
(December 9, 2009)
PREMONT--There's a manhunt going on at this hour in Alice near Highway 281. Law officers are looking for a suspect they tried to arrest about an hour ago who's accused of stealing expensive saddles.
These were trophy and custom saddles taken from a Premont farm last weekend. Investigators have been searching for the man after he said he would turn himself in.
Authorities said 25-year-old Steven Garcia busted through this gate on the Weeks farm on Farm-to-Market Road 716. It's believed he went inside this room and grabbed these four saddles worth about $15,000.
Afterwards, investigators said Garcia sold two saddles worth thousand of dollars for $50 and $150. Later, lawmen found two other saddles at his home in Premont.
"It's ridiculous," said Clay Weeks, who is the family spokesperson. "Knowing people have these good saddles and them and steal them and sell them for $40 $50 a piece. It's not right."
"There's not a direct relationship with the Weeks," said Sgt. Brandon Torres with the Jim Wellso County Sheriff's Department. "Everybody knows the Weeks' family out here. They know what they have on the property. They have these trophy saddles. It probably was a crime of opportunity."
After this theft, the Weeks family made some security changes at the family farm. They hope the improved security will keep criminals away from these saddles.
Officers are looking for Garcia right now in the Alice area. If you see him or know his whereabouts, you should call the Jim Wells County Sheriff's Department at 668-0341.
--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .