Two brothers and an accomplice accused of stealing more than $2 million in multiple burglaries throughout the Rio Grande Valley were arraigned Monday afternoon at the Edinburg Police Department.
Juan Guerra, 18, Daniel Guerra, 32 and Omar Canchola Garcia, 19, were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, burglary of a building and theft.
“We’re happy to report that, collaboratively working together as a region and sharing intelligence, we have been able to gain enough information to make some arrests and recover approximately $2 million of that property,” Chief Jaime Ayala of the Edinburg Police Department said at a news conference following the arraignment.
Ayala emphasized the work of multiple police departments that collaborated to stop the burglaries around the Valley, which included San Benito, McAllen, Pharr and other areas in Hidalgo and Willacy counties.
Edinburg began its investigation in January when about $100,000 in equipment was reported stolen from South Park when the new skate park was being constructed.
The list of stolen property included a Mazda, a Hummer, construction and farming equipment, utility terrain vehicles, a generator and more.
Due to multiple crime scenes across the region, the trio is expected to face more criminal charges in all the jurisdictions, officials said during the press conference.
The three arraigned had led Weslaco Police in an off-road, high-speed chase, according to Weslaco police chief Joel Rivera, who said a charge of evading arrest is forthcoming.
In addition, Ayala said authorities are seeking a fourth person, Sergio Hernandez, 31, who is also wanted in connection to the case.
Edinburg Municipal Judge Municipal Judge Hector Bustos gave Juan Guerra $225,000 in bonds, Daniel Guerra $205,000 and Garcia $140,000.
