Officer Chapman assured, “We may not apprehend you immediately, but rest assured, justice will be served. In Texas, we have zero tolerance for such behavior.”
Earlier headline about combined total of alleged thefts inaccurate, WFAA regrets error
A security video, obtained by WFAA, has captured a man who is believed to be involved in a significant cargo burglary ring across North Texas. This video is seen as crucial evidence and is currently being used in a major investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.
“It’s absolutely incredible,” expressed Sgt. Oscar Ramirez, “To witness them in the midst of their actions, so to speak.”
Sgt. Oscar Ramirez is a supervisor for the Grapevine Police Department. In May of last year, the suspects managed to avoid setting off the alarm by cutting a hole in the warehouse garage door. The entire incident was captured on camera.
According to the police, the stolen items were loaded into a box truck by the suspects, who had also reportedly stolen the truck.
Sergeant Ramirez stated that an investigation was initiated as a result of the disappearance of around half a million dollars worth of product.
Grapevine Police detectives collaborated with other police departments to investigate the warehouse theft case. They also shared information about a stolen box truck that was used in the heist. The input from the other agencies sparked additional inquiries and provided answers in various jurisdictions.
Chapman stated that the detectives put in a lot of effort to gather information, but they encountered a roadblock.
Grapevine Police successfully overcame a major obstacle by leveraging their advanced technology to track down the suspects. Despite the suspects typically employing lookouts prior to carrying out their operations, they were completely unaware that detectives were monitoring their activities at a nearby warehouse.
“The striking aspect was that they would launch their attacks in the dead of night, specifically around two or three in the morning,” explained Sgt. Ramirez.
According to Grapevine police, a major theft has occurred, involving valuable eyewear worth over $514,000. The stolen merchandise consists of 2,223 pairs of Ray-Ban Supernova Wayfarer glasses and 20 pairs of Oculus goggles. The stolen Ray-Ban sunglasses alone are estimated to be worth approximately $500,000, making up a significant portion of the total loss.
Cell phones were stolen from warehouses in Coppell on three separate occasions, resulting in a significant loss. In the first incident, cell phones valued at over $2.2 million were taken. Subsequently, the second and third thefts amounted to approximately $2.4 million worth of stolen cell phones.
Over the span of several weeks, Grapevine PD has estimated that a staggering $6.2 million worth of electronics has been stolen.
Law enforcement and company officials are currently working tirelessly to recover the stolen items and address the financial consequences of the heist. This incident serves as a stark reminder of how vulnerable high-demand goods can be.
Sergeant Ramirez mentioned that they had deployed patrol officers, officers with drones, and K-9 officers while they waited for them to hopefully make an impact.
According to law enforcement officials, the recent operation resulted in the arrest of one individual, ultimately leading to the identification of seven additional suspects. Although all of them have been released on bail, they are now facing serious charges for their involvement in organized criminal activity. If convicted, they could potentially face a life sentence behind bars.
Grapevine PD has made arrests in connection with the burglary of warehouses, based on compelling evidence. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by WFAA, Adrian Ellison, 38; Julius Green, 40; Willie Hill, 38; Eric White, 33; Fayzal Kara, 40; Ronnie Vaden, 33; and Derrick White, 38 were apprehended due to cellular data that placed them near the crime scene at the time of the offense.
Chapman expressed his determination to address the issue, stating, “We may not get you right then and there but it’s coming. We don’t put up with it in Texas, we just don’t.”
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