Alleged theft ring charged with stealing side mirrors in Mission

MISSION — Authorities charged a group with stealing and attempting to sell $25,000 worth of vehicle side-view mirrors over the weekend.

Police found several pairs of the mirrors Friday night after raiding the home of Hipolito "Polo" Perez, 18, said Mission police Sgt. Jody Tittle. An informant had told police the teen was keeping stolen truck parts inside his house, located on the 700 block of West Adams Street.

The group was apparently targeting truck mirrors with built-in turn signals, Tittle said.

Mission Municipal Judge Jonathan Wehrmeister arraigned Perez on Wednesday afternoon on two counts of theft and one count of engaging in an organized criminal act. Jesus Chavez, 18, Jeremy Serda, 21, and Juan Carlos Calderon, 17, each face the same charges. Wehrmeister granted each of the men a $350,000 bond.

The alleged theft ring was reportedly led by a 15-year-old boy, whom police refused to identify.

According to a police affidavit, Perez, Chavez, Serda and Calderon would "venture out and steal the mirrors from trucks" as ordered by the 15-year-old.

Police eventually arrested Guillermo Cortinas, 46, for allegedly buying a set of stolen truck mirrors and having them installed on his white 2008 Chevrolet Silverado.

Investigators also determined that Cortinas' son, Guillermo Cortinas Jr., 17, had placed orders for the stolen mirrors.

The Cortinases were charged Wednesday afternoon with theft by appropriation and engaging in an organized criminal act. Wehrmeister granted each a $160,000 bond.

According to a police affidavit, the informant said the participants in the alleged theft ring had been stealing side-view mirrors from trucks at locations in Alton, McAllen, Mission, Palmhurst, Palmview and Pharr since earlier this month.

He told police the men would target and steal the mirrors at various residential locations and the following Mission businesses: Fanatics Sports Bar & Grill, Wal-Mart, Mission Regional Medical Center, La Quinta Inn and Suites, Motel 6, H.E.B., Cinemark Tinseltown USA, Cornerstone Fitness Center.

The suspects allegedly installed a pair of stolen truck mirrors - which police said cost as much as $650 new - for $30 to $80.

Hours after the group's arraignment Wednesday afternoon, police carried out another raid at a location near the intersection of 5 Mile Line and Stewart Road, where the stolen mirrors were apparently being installed on trucks.

So far, five Mission residents have called police to report stolen side mirrors. A Bert Ogden Motors employee told police someone removed the mirrors from 12 new trucks that were parked at the business.

In November 2007, police arrested a Mission teen in connection with a chop shop operation near Alton. Police there hauled away truckloads of allegedly stolen car parts, including side mirrors, truck tailgates and rims.

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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.