Second Burglary Suspect Arrested from Prior Pursuit
Posted/updated on: September 25, 2014 at 3:55 pm
TYLER — Smith County authorities say they’ve arrested a second suspect in a recent burglary and pursuit. Smith County Sheriff’s Office detectives executed an arrest warrant Wednesday morning on the suspect who allegedly fled from officers during an attempted arrest after a vehicle pursuit near downtown Tyler last week.
Two men in a vehicle suspected of involvement in a residential burglary case led officers on a pursuit ending in a minor wreck on Pine Burr Road on September 18, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. The driver of the vehicle, originally believed to be a juvenile, was taken into custody at the scene. The passenger fled on foot. The driver had given false identification indicating he may have been a juvenile, according to officials. But authorities say after further investigation he was identified as Benito Vasquez, 18, of Tyler. Vasquez is currently in the Smith County Jail on two charges of burglary of habitation, both charges having a bond set at $20,000.
Officials say it was the passenger who was arrested Wednesday morning. The suspect was located at his residence in the 2400 block of Sunnyside Drive near the Tyler Rose Garden. He is identified as Fernando Villegas, 17, of Tyler. Villegas (pictured) was booked into the Smith County Jail for a criminal trespass warrant from the Tyler Police Department and a charge of parole violation. Two additional warrants were issued Wednesday for burglary of habitation by Judge Carole Clark of the 321st State District Court, who set bond at $20,000 for each warrant.
Officials say subsequent to Villegas’ arrest, detectives executed a search warrant of the property and found Villegas to be in possession of a television and PlayStation 3. According to authorities, detectives identified those items as stolen property, clearing two additional open Smith County Sheriff’s Office burglary cases. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available, according to officials.
