Jacinto City Police foil gas station’s ATM burglary

The burglary was at this convenience store on Mercury Drive.
The burglary was at this convenience store on Mercury Drive.
The burglary was at this convenience store on Mercury Drive.

JACINTO CITY – Police were called to the Come & Save food store and gas station at 1509 Mercury Drive last Thursday morning, when a would-be thief broke a storefront window, tied a rope around an ATM machine inside, and pulled it out into the parking area with his car.

The crime happened early in the morning, according to Jacinto City Police Chief Joe Ayala, but an alarm and video equipment brought a quick response from the Jacinto City police patrols.

The broken ATM machine.
The broken ATM machine.

On the surveillance video, the thief can be seen breaking open the ATM, and attempting to pull the cash out. Almost immediately one police cruiser arrives on the scene, and the thief enters his car and flees south on Mercury Drive. At that time, two other cruisers arrive and give chase, apprehending the thief a few blocks away. He has been identified as Gustavo Barriga, a 22 year old Hispanic male. He is currently in the Harris County jail, awaiting arraignment.

Assisting in the arrests were Jacinto City Police officers Cpl. Nieto, Sgt. S. Flores, and Officer D. Reyes. They were commended by Chief Ayala for their quick action and apprehension of the suspect.