SAN ANTONIO — Three teens accused of a northwest side crime spree will spend at least the next ten days locked up at juvenile detention.
The three had initial appearances in court Monday morning. Two of the teens are 15 and one is 14.
San Antonio Police said the charges include: Evading in vehicle/foot, unlawful carry of a firearm, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, criminal Mischief - $2,500 - $30,000 and they add more charges could be expected as these investigations remain ongoing.
Investigators said the case started coming together late Thursday when a tip was received about a stolen BMW they believe has been involved in multiple burglary incidents in Bexar County and numerous theft of vehicle cases in the area.
While that vehicle was found abandoned, investigators also received clues about a Ford Explorer and an Infiniti QX50 that might be involved as well.
Friday, investigators searching apartment complexes in the area found the Explorer abandoned and while surveillance continued, they said they saw someone driving the wanted Infiniti.
With help from the SAPD Eagle helicopter, the Infiniti was tracked on I-10 in the area around La Cantera and they said when officers tried to stop the car, the driver tried to get away.
During the escape attempt, they said the driver hit two other vehicles and when the car became disabled, three teens in the car tried to run away.
All three were located nearby and arrested and as police searched the car and the area, they said they recovered two guns.
One of the accused teens appeared in the 289th District Court. That 15-year-old was ordered detained.
Meanwhile, a 14-year-old and another 15-year-old appeared in the 436th District Court with Judge William "Cruz" Shaw.
A representative from the county's juvenile probation division told the judge the 14-year-old has been to court before and was placed on probation for evading arrest in January 2024.
The teen has done well, and has passed mandatory drug tests but both probation and a prosecutor recommended the teen remain detained.
Chastising the teen, Shaw told him he had already given him a chance to succeed.
Shaw said, "You know what my options are now? I could send you to prison! If that's what you want to do tell me now because apparently probation is not working!"
When the teen tried to point out he was a passenger in the car, the judge said he was not interested in excuses.
"You and I had a conversation and you told me you could be successful on probation and now you're back here with an additional five charges, one being a felony!" Shaw said, adding, "It is what it is man! At this time I order you to remain detained."
When the 15-year-old appeared, Shaw noticed fresh tattoos decorating the teen's arms. When the judge asked about them, the teen replied they were approved by his mother. "I went and got tatted because I finished probation," the teen said.
A probation official confirmed the teen had successfully completed a probationary term in January and that the teen's mom said she and the boy had moved for a fresh start and to get away from trouble.
When Shaw questioned the teen about returning to San Antonio, and to the associates who were trouble in the past, the teen blamed the other two people in the car for leading him astray.
The teen's uncle, who stood by his side, told the judge "He's not a bad kid. Peer pressure probably caused him to do stuff he shouldn't but I don't think he's a danger to nobody. He just needs a little more guidance and a little more supervision."
When it was the teen's turn to explain his situation, he had a lively exchange with the judge, complaining about the food service in detention and other detainees trying to start fights over food.
The judge retorted, "You are the reason why you're here though!"
The teen responded by promising to do better, saying "I know my actions cause consequences but I just want to change judge! I just had one little setback! But I promise you I am trying to change and I just need one more chance!"
Giving the teen no wiggle room for excuses, Shaw told him "A setback would have been, you smoked or you came home drunk or something. I can deal with that but this police report?"
Telling the teen he knew his companions were trouble but he chose his path, Shaw ordered the teen detained.
All three teens are scheduled to return for another hearing in ten business days.
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