Struggling family dealt major blow as main breadwinner’s SUV is stolen with tools inside

Jesus Alaniz said he was holding out hope that his tools would still be inside the vehicle after it was found, but investigators told him they were gone.

HOUSTON — Jesus Alaniz is left wondering how he’ll keep providing for his family after his vehicle, which was stolen last month, turned back up, but is in no condition to drive.

Alaniz reported his SUV missing on Sept. 20, so imagine the shock he felt when he saw it had been crashed out, reportedly after a robbery that led to a chase and crash.

“He said, ‘Hey, I think this is your truck. It looks like your truck.’ And I said, ‘Oh, yeah, it is my truck,'” Alaniz said.

Police said one of the suspects fired a shot at an undercover officer during the incident. The robbery suspects accused of firing the shots have been identified as Derrick Gallegos and Jorge Ruiz.

KHOU 11 News obtained video that showed the scene near the Hardy Toll Road on Wednesday afternoon. Ruiz and Gallegos are each charged with aggravated robbery.

Alaniz said he was holding out hope that his tools would still be inside the vehicle, but investigators told him they were gone. He’s a mobile mechanic, and the tools help him provide the main source of income for his family.

Now, he’s hoping his SUV will still start because his family has been struggling.

Alaniz is now left waiting to find out if he can qualify for crime victim compensation.

“This is horrible. This is horrible. This ain’t right. This breaks not only your bank, but a person,” Alaniz said.

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