Michael Alan Loving, 38, was taken into custody on 10 felony warrants, according to the San Antonio Police Department.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio police arrested a man Tuesday described as a serial jewelry theft suspect tied to dozens of cases across the city.
Michael Alan Loving, 38, was taken into custody on 10 felony warrants, according to the San Antonio Police Department. Investigators consider Loving a “career criminal” who has targeted pawn shops and jewelry stores for several years.
Police say Loving commonly entered pawn shops or mall jewelry stores and asked to try on jewelry before walking out with the items. When employees refused, investigators say he would smash display cases and flee with the merchandise.
At the time of his arrest, officers found Loving in possession of a sledgehammer and a rock, which police believe were used to break glass during thefts.
Loving has been arrested 37 times over several years, SAPD said. His current charges include two counts of robbery, one count of aggravated robbery, three counts of theft over $30,000 and one count of theft over $150,000.
Police say Loving’s most recent arrest before Tuesday occurred Nov. 23 at a H-E-B jewelry kiosk on the city’s south side. Investigators say he committed a smash-and-grab theft and ran over a person with his vehicle while fleeing. He was later arrested after running through a nearby neighborhood naked, according to police.
After bonding out of jail with an ankle monitor, Loving allegedly cut off the device and resumed committing thefts, SAPD said.
Investigators also say Loving threatened employees with a gun during a theft at an EZ Pawn location and continued his crime spree at dozens of pawn shops across San Antonio.
Police say Loving often did not attempt to conceal his identity during the thefts and was easily identifiable by visible tattoos.