TIRE AND WHEEL THEFT RING ARRESTED IN HARRIS COUNTY

  

A tire and wheel theft ring that stole from a seven county area including Washington County has been busted in Harris County.

Thursday Jose Martinez-Garcia, owner of Martinez Wheel Connection in Houston, was arrested and charged with felony theft.  Harris County investigators say thousands of parts found at his shop have been connected to a massive theft ring in Washington, Grimes, Harris, Brazos, Fort Bend, Waller and Montgomery counties.  Harris County Constable Mark Herman says the investigation began with a report of a tire theft in progress back in December of 2016.  Although the suspects, Frederick Santee and Terry Dewayne Rogers escaped on foot, the car they left behind contained DNA evidence that was traced back to them.

During the months long investigation that followed, 11 law enforcement agencies used vehicle ID numbers, witness testimony and surveillance footage to uncover an 11 person theft ring.  Constable Herman says the ring targeted specific vehicle types, mainly Chevy trucks, at homes or at car dealerships.  He says many of the tires were resold at Martinez-Garcia’s shop.  Most of the suspects remain at large, although all 11 have been charged with felony theft and engaging in organized crime.