Jeff Davis County Man Accused Of Stealing Border Patrol Surveillance Camera
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: February 28, 2013
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY -- A Jeff Davis County resident is accused of stealing a United States Border Patrol surveillance camera.
Israel Melendez was arrested on February 19th.
According to The Big Bend Sentinel, Melendez removed a Border Patrol surveillance camera down from a tree branch near the Rio Grande in western Jeff Davis County.
The Jeff Davis County resident then allegedly threatened a Border Patrol agent in Spanish.
Melendez allegedly drove off with the camera, but he set off a security sensor at the Cubano Crossing area of the Barros Ranch in western Jeff Davis County.
Jeff Davis County Sheriff Rick McIvor later pulled over Melendez's vehicle.
McIvor reportedly found the camera in the front seat of the vehicle.
McIvor then seized the camera, which a Border Patrol agent later identified as federal property.
Federal officials say that the camera was worth $400 to $500.
Meledez allegedly told McIvor that he'd stolen other surveillance cameras, but agents couldn't find any cameras in his home.
Now, Melendez is charged with theft of federal property.
Israel Melendez was arrested on February 19th.
According to The Big Bend Sentinel, Melendez removed a Border Patrol surveillance camera down from a tree branch near the Rio Grande in western Jeff Davis County.
The Jeff Davis County resident then allegedly threatened a Border Patrol agent in Spanish.
Melendez allegedly drove off with the camera, but he set off a security sensor at the Cubano Crossing area of the Barros Ranch in western Jeff Davis County.
Jeff Davis County Sheriff Rick McIvor later pulled over Melendez's vehicle.
McIvor reportedly found the camera in the front seat of the vehicle.
McIvor then seized the camera, which a Border Patrol agent later identified as federal property.
Federal officials say that the camera was worth $400 to $500.
Meledez allegedly told McIvor that he'd stolen other surveillance cameras, but agents couldn't find any cameras in his home.
Now, Melendez is charged with theft of federal property.
