On Thursday May 21st at 2:16am, APD officers were sent to the 5800 block of NE 20th on a report of several individuals breaking into cars in the neighborhood. As officers were responding to the call, one officer observed a white Toyota Camry leaving the area occupied by several males and pull into the parking lot of a business at NE 24th and Grand. As the officer was observing the vehicle the driver had exited the car and started walking away from the car when the driver observed the officer watching him. The male immediately turned back around and ran back to his car and got in and drove away. The officer pursued the vehicle and stopped the vehicle in the 2400 block of N. Grand. The vehicle was occupied by 5 H/M’s. As the officer was speaking with the driver, he observed the back seat passengers attempting to hide items under the front seats or under their feet. Officers removed all the occupants of the vehicle and began interviewing these individuals as being suspects in the report of auto burglaries in the area. Offices located several backpacks in the back seat area of the vehicle along with a large amount of loose change, car chargers for electronic devices and several clothing items.
After completing their investigation, officers were able to determine that the suspects had broken into cars in the Northeast side of Amarillo as well as in SW Amarillo. A garage at one residence in the 5800 of NE 14th was entered and the suspects stole items out of a vehicle parked in the garage.
All 5 individuals were arrested, transported and booked into the Potter County Correction Center on a charge of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. Arrested was the driver, Isiah Anthony Hernandez H/M 17, and passengers Anthony Hernandez H/M 17, Homero Gallegos Jr H/M 17, Antonio Paul Lopez H/M 17 and Angel Josiah Luna H/M 17. Luna was also charged with Fail to Identify, Giving False/Fictitious Name. All 5 individuals are from Amarillo.
