CRIME BLOTTER: MOTOR VEHICLES 4/1/25 - 5/4/25

Stevie Quilo
4 days ago
3 min read

All individuals listed in this blotter are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The information presented is based on public records and does not imply guilt or conviction.

Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention

The Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority advised: “Motor vehicle theft and burglary from a motor vehicle can happen any time of year but the summer months are the busiest time for car thieves. The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority encourages Texans to always remember to secure their vehicle. Remember “If You Like It-Lock It.” Lock your vehicle and take your belongings – do everything in your power to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of auto theft.”

It doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive, or how much you trust your neighbors, all vehicles could be potential targets. Automotive-related crimes may include stealing the actual vehicle. But more often, the car is left in place and the owner’s belongings inside are burglarized. Other cases often show offenses like unauthorized use of vehicle, such as uninvited squatters sleeping in the car, or acquaintances borrowing a car without the owner’s knowledge.

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles online sources claim, “the rate of auto theft is declining.” However, those claims seem outdated, as they reference data analysis prior to 2020. More recent information indicates automotive crime is back on the rise. County arrest records from Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Reports show certain automotive-related arrests have more than doubled in Val Verde County, in the small span from 2022 to 2024. Val Verde County records show 21 arrests for “burglary of vehicles” reported in 2022, but 53 arrests in 2024. Same goes for “Unauthorized Use of Vehicle” charges. In 2022, 10 arrests were reported, but by 2024, the total rose to 22 arrests. Growing numbers may indicate stricter enforcement, higher crime rate, or both.

4/3/25 11:00AM (Saturday)

Anthony Zapata Barboza, Male, Age 25

Barboza was arrested after DRPD tracked down a stolen vehicle on April 9, nearly one week after it was reported missing. Barboza was charged with “Theft of Property,” the $2,500-$30k valuation brought the crime up to a felony charge. According to the DRPD incident report, on April 3, the vehicle owner had left his Chevy, with the keys, “parked with the engine running while he went inside Stripes.” The owner ran into the gas station for a quick stop, thinking he could trust the community for 5 minutes. He was mistaken. Instead, a lucky bystander tried to take a free ride. In broad daylight, on a main road (Gibbs Street), the vehicle was gone in a flash.

4/30/25 12:30PM (Friday)

Clayton Dean Gausnell, Male, Age 22

Gausnell was charged with a nominal crime, stealing a “battery powered drill” out from an unlocked BMW. DRPD incident report doesn’t say much, it was an open and shut case. The charge was “burglary of vehicles.” Allegedly, someone saw Gausnell burglarizing the vehicle and called it in to the police. Police caught him in the act and arrested him at the scene. The BMW was parked in front of a row of homes, in a relatively safe residential neighborhood, around the corner from N. Main & W. Cantu. No damage to the vehicle was reported, so it can be assumed the owner left the car unlocked.

5/4/2025 1:20AM (Wednesday)

Pedro Herrera, Male, Age 40

Herrera was charged and arrested for “local warrant service,” according to the DRPD incident report. Connect Del Rio does not normally report warrant arrests, but the Herrera incident involved a motor vehicle crime as well. DRPD reported that officers were dispatched to a home near the train tracks downtown, “for an unknown male who had entered the caller’s vehicle.” Presumably, Herrera was an uninvited guest. Herrera was not charged for damaging the vehicle, so it appears the owner left the car unlocked.

At Connect Del Rio, our commitment is to report on the events that genuinely shape and affect our community. We announce the return of the Blotter, with a renewed focus on significant crimes—those that have the greatest impact on public safety and well-being. This updated approach seeks to highlight major, high-profile incidents, with the intention of informing the public, fostering accountability, and ultimately contributing to a safer community for all. Through clear, fact-based reporting, we hope to encourage constructive dialogue and a deeper understanding of the realities facing Del Rio.