SAN ANTONIO – Five San Antonio men have been indicted for their roles in a burglary ring that targeted Ford pickup trucks.
Alejandro Arias, 24, Andrew Riojas, 24, Victor Valenciana, 28, Aureliano Villarreal, 26, and Richard Hernandez, 24, face multiple charges in connection with the ring, which operated from July 2021 to January 2022, a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office states.
According to federal authorities, the suspects would steal firearms and other items from Ford pickup trucks that were parked in high-traffic areas, including parking lots of malls and restaurants. They would occasionally steal the vehicles, too, the release states.
In committing the crime, authorities said, the suspects would rent vehicles and place stolen license plates on them.
They are in custody and their charges include conspiracy to receive and possess stolen firearms, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm. They were indicted on Thursday.
Their trials are slated to begin in January. If convicted, they each face up to five years in prison on the conspiracy to possess stolen firearms charge and up to 10 years for the remaining charges.
The ATF, Department of Homeland Security Investigations and San Antonio Police Department are investigating the case.
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