July 4, 2019 618 PM
MARFA, ALPINE – A car and truck were broken into late Monday night in Marfa, and as the vehicle owners discovered the burglaries the following morning, one realized his nine-millimeter pistol had been stolen from the glove box. Both incidents occurred in the vicinity of the Paisano Hotel, according to Marfa Police Chief Steve Marquez, who linked the night’s incidents to a recent rash of car break-ins.
Monday’s events came exactly one week after three vehicles were rummaged through in Marfa. This week, Alpine Police informed Marfa PD that they’ve also investigated two vehicle break-ins this past week, bringing the known total to seven vehicle break-ins in the area. The two departments are now cooperating, but no suspects have been identified.
Victims of the first five break-ins discovered very little had been taken––instead, the content of the cars had been moved around, and small items such as a phone charger and coins were stolen, while more expensive valuables, such as electronics, jewelry, cash and luggage, were left behind.
Explaining this week’s incidents, Marquez said, “They hit one car and browsed but didn’t take anything.” However, the Police Chief said the while the truck that was broken into had valuables and luggage, “the only thing that was taken was a Beretta nine-millimeter pistol. They went straight to the glovebox and took the gun.”
The pistol theft is an escalation, and stealing a firearm in Texas is a state jail felony. Marquez reported that this is the first time a valuable has been stolen in connection to this series of vehicle break-ins.
What had puzzled the Marfa Police was that the behavior seemed to indicate they were looking for something specific, but had yet to find it. Monday’s weapon theft might indicate that the perpetrator may have finally found what they were seeking.
The Marfa Police Department released a statement warning the community that individuals are rummaging through unlocked vehicles. “The PD would like to ask citizens and visitors to please lock their vehicle doors and remove or hide any personal belongings. Those that travel with their weapon concealed in their vehicle, should remove the weapon from the vehicle and safely secure it.”
According to Marquez, the victim whose gun was stolen believes his vehicle was locked at the time, but there were no visible signs of forced entry on the truck. Marfa and Alpine Police Departments have attempted to lift fingerprints from the crime scenes, but so far have been unsuccessful. Marquez attributes this to victims discovering their car has been broken into and “touching everything,” inadvertently destroying any fingerprint evidence.
Marfa Police believe the suspect is on foot during their crime spree and are unsure whether the perpetrator is local or visiting, nor whether they are a minor or an adult. They have not ruled out the possibility that it’s a group rather than an individual. Those with information or concerns are asked to contact the Marfa Police Department at (432) 729-1841.
