Man jailed after telling deputies thieves swiped his drug stash

NORTH OF PEÑITAS — Masked men broke into Jose Guadalupe Flores’ home and robbed him at gunpoint.

But reporting the theft landed the 35-year-old Mexican national in jail.

Hidalgo County sheriff’s deputies arrested Flores on Friday after he told them the men stole 150 pounds of marijuana from his home near the intersection of Tom Gill Road and Mile 3 Road North.

“The guy walked right up and said the drugs were his,” Sheriff Lupe Treviño said. “That’s not the smartest move.”

Investigators arrived to find the home’s door kicked in and nearly 15 pounds of the drug lying on the floor. Flores reported that he was wrapping the drugs for shipment when two masked gunmen burst into his home.

He managed to escape through a back door as the men ransacked the house, but later approached deputies at the scene and identified himself as the homeowner.

He was charged with felony possession of marijuana at an arraignment hearing Monday.

Because he is an illegal immigrant, he will remain in the Hidalgo County jail until his case comes before a court.

Deputies have not recovered the stolen drugs and continue to search for the two masked gunmen, who are described as Hispanic males who may have been driving a small four-door gray sedan.

Authorities urge anyone with information on this case to contact the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office at (956) 668-8477.

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Jeremy Roebuck covers courts, law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4437.