Texas Border Business
On April 14th, 2020 at 11:50 p.m Edinburg police officers responded to a call for auto theft in progress at the 1500 block of Armagoza Dr. The officers arrived at the area and spotted the stolen vehicle driving away from the scene and engaged in a vehicle pursuit. The vehicle pursuit resulted in the driver fleeing on foot. The officers recovered the stolen vehicle, a 1995 Chevrolet Silverado, but no suspects were arrested at that time. Investigators were aware of two suspects at the scene of the auto theft.
Using surveillance footage from the scene of the auto theft and facial recognition technology, Edinburg Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was able to identify one of the auto theft suspects. An arrest warrant was obtained for Eddi Torres- Esparza (9/28/1978) who was located at the 5100 block of Sunny Cir in Mission, TX.Â
Investigators also made contact with Rosalio Rivera- Montes (7/19/1975) at the residence in Mission. Rosalio claimed ownership of the residence and all vehicles on the property.
During the arrest, Investigators developed probable cause to obtain a search warrant for the residence. The search warrant was executed and resulted in the recovery of a stolen Ford F250 out of McAllen, TX.
A second search warrant related to narcotics was obtained for the residence. This search warrant resulted in the seizure of four vehicles, 366 lbs. of marijuana, 236.2 grams of cocaine, $126,511.00 of U.S currency and 26 weapons to include; ten high powered assault rifles and one .50 caliber Desert Eagle handgun.
Rivera Montes was charged with Possession of Marijuana (2nd degree felony) and Manufacture and Delivery of Controlled Substance (1st degree felony). Rivera Montes was arraigned and a bond was set at $175,000. Rivera Montes was in the process of being released on an attorney signature when two more charges were added for Theft (auto; State Jail Felony) and Money Laundering (3rd degree felony). Rivera Montes was arraigned again and a bond was set for $300,000. As of now, Rivera Montes has not been bailed out.
Eddi Torres- Esparza was charged with Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle (State jail felony) for the attempted auto theft of the 1995 Chevrolet Silverado on April 14th. He is currently in Federal custody, placed on a hold due to his legal status.
The second male at the scene of the auto theft was later identified as Jose Catarino- Salinas (3/6/1995). An arrest warrant was obtained by the Edinburg Special Investigations Unit and Jose was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of motor vehicle (state jail felony). Jose was given a $25,000 bond and did not make bail.
The Edinburg Special Investigations Unit worked on this case in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the Drug Enforcement Agency and Homeland Security Investigations. This investigation is not closed at this time and Rivera Montes is currently pending a Federal investigation.
