Alton officials seek to dispel rumors following police chief's arrest

ALTON — City commissioners took a moment Tuesday evening to separate truth from the rumors that have swept through this community since last week’s arrest of police Chief Jose Luis Vela.

No Alton residents came to the City Commission meeting to address the sexual assault charges against their chief or to ask their commissioners about the state of the Police Department.

But because commissioners heard varying stories from friends and neighbors over the weekend, they felt it was important to clear up any rumors, City Manager Jorge Arcaute said of the commission’s executive session discussions.

Vela is charged with two counts of sexual assault against male employees. The city is conducting a separate investigation into allegations he took liquor and other items from the Police Department’s storage area for evidence and seized property.

Vela has served as chief for 10 years and is currently on paid suspension, pending the ongoing investigations. He remained jailed Tuesday in lieu of a $200,000 bond for the assault charges.

Though he remains the police chief as of now, the city could terminate his employment before the assault case is resolved, should the evidence locker audit turn up any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, City Manager Arcaute and Mayor Salvador Vela sought to dispel one rumor in particular Tuesday — that the mayor and the accused police chief are related. Not true, the two city leaders said.

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Sara Perkins covers western Hidalgo County, Starr County and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4472.