ROBSTOWN, Texas — A Robstown man is accused of swiping thousands of dollars worth of merchandise after holding up a local pawn shop Wednesday morning. He has since been booked into the Nueces County Jail.
Expensive rings, bracelets, charms, and even gold necklaces were placed on the back of a car. Authorities say it was all taken by 29-year-old Emilio Vento who they say walked into the First Cash Pawn on Up River Road in Annaville armed with a gun.
Following the robbery, Vento took off and authorities began their search. The challenge, however, is that at first, they didn't have much to go on.
"All they relayed on the radio is that he had entered a vehicle and left the area, but there was no vehicle description, so we didn't know what we were looking for," said Cpl Antonio Agular, criminal investigator at Constables Office Pct. 5 in Robstown.
However, luck would be on their side.
Criminal Investigator Antonio Aguilar said among the items taken was a tracking device that would help lead law enforcement to a neighborhood in Robstown.
"Constable Oscar Mendoza and his chief deputy arrived there in the general area first, and they arrived on Longoria Street and observed the white vehicle, the only vehicle in the area," said Aguilar.
Authorities stopped to speak with Vento who was standing outside of a white Chevy Montecarlo. They ended up discovering a handgun and sitting in the passenger seat, a bag containing the stolen jewelry.
"In this case it worked out for the best. Obviously, it helped us to locate him, not being for this tracking device on the merchandise, he probably wouldn't have been found today," said Aguilar.
Aguilar said the successful capture was also thanks to a number of law enforcement agencies which worked together to cover a larger area during the search.
Check this out. at first the value of the items was thought to be around $10,000 dollars. It ended up being a lot more to the tune of $59,000 dollars.
Vento was booked into the Nueces County Jail. He now faces robbery charges.
Nueces County Precinct Five authorities responded to the call at the First Cash Pawn in the Annaville area for reports of a robbery at gunpoint on Wednesday.
Vento is currently awaiting magistration at the Nueces County Jail.
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