Lytle Alerts
Lytle Police Chief's Weekly Report - April 14, 2025
April 14, 2025
Greetings,
We have uploaded the weekly report to our website (www.lytletx.org/police). Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Current Weekly Report.” If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me. You can reach me at our office (830-709-0277) or by email @ richard.priest@lytletx.org. There will be a regular city council meeting tonight, Monday, April 14, at 6:30 PM, Join us at City Hall. Friday, April 18th is a city holiday. All municipal offices will be closed, with the Police Dept. operating normally.
Lytle P.D. Officers handled 47 calls for service last week and conducted 75 traffic stops. Of those 75 stops, 39 resulted in citations and 36 were warnings.
Arrests: Officers made 4 arrests last week: #1- Ofc. L. Diaz and T. Barrera observed a person who they knew had a warrant out of Bexar Co. The 33-year-old male was taken into custody on the Burglary of a Habitation warrant and was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance (he was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail). #2- A traffic stop by Ofc. J. Cortez (assisted by Ofc. S. Mendez) resulted in the arrest of a 33-year-old male for possession of a controlled substance (he was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail). #3 – A traffic stop by Ofc. S. Mendez (assisted by Ofc. J. Cortez) resulted in the arrest of a 33-year-old male for an active dope warrant out of Brazos County (he was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail). Yes, the first three people we arrested were all 33 years old! #4 – A traffic stop by Ofc. J. Cortez resulted in the citation and release of a 41-year-old female for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Property Crimes: There were a few property crimes reported last week. #1 – A burglary occurred at the Good Luck Mart (the old Valero/Diamond Shamrock on the north end of Main St.). A couple of fellows backed up their truck, broke out a window, and made off with a “Gaming Machine.” I am sure they were looking for a guaranteed jackpot … more likely they will get a guaranteed trip to jail. Thanks to video evidence and help from our partners at S.A.P.D., our suspects have been identified. Fantastic job by Capt. M. Dear and Ofc. / Investigator A. Lopez for their quick work on solving this case. #2 & #3 – Ofc. F. Reyes took a report from H.E.B. Plus regarding thefts that occurred on 12/14/2024 and 4/4/2025. The same female was observed on video committing both thefts, the case is under investigation. #4 – A complainant in San Antonio reported that three forged checks were cashed at El Bufalo Pawn. #5 – Lytle Public Works discovered two fire hydrants where it appeared water was recently stolen. Water is a valuable commodity, and stealing it is a crime. Please report suspicious activity to us. I know we have all been tempted to water our yard by running a garden hose off our neighbor’s faucet when they are out of town. You can think about it, just don’t do it!
I forgot to mention last week that on April 2, Mayor Gonzalez swore in our newest officer. Paul Tafolla is a San Antonio native who comes to us from the Atascosa Co. Sheriff’s Office where he was a Patrol Deputy. We are now fully staffed with 12 full-time officers. It may seem like we have more officers … that is because I work so hard it seems like there must be two of me.
Last Thursday, in conjunction with our Municipal Court, we conducted a little warrant round-up. It took place during our regular court hours; it worked out well since the staff and Judge were already in place. Our officers visited 51 residences searching out those with outstanding warrants, mostly for not showing up for court for traffic citations. We had 15 defendants brought in or who turned themselves in after a visit to their residence that resulted in the clearing of 38 municipal warrants. I was told the court collected a little over $6,000 related to the warrant round-up. Our court is very easy to work with, and if you have an outstanding warrant, just stop by City Hall and chat with one of the court clerks.
We occasionally get negative feedback on serving these traffic warrants, stuff like “Don’t you have anything better to do?” and “Why aren’t you catching real criminals?” Part of our job is to serve the process from our municipal court; these warrants are part of that process. The judge signs the warrants and then sends them to us. It is that simple. If everyone showed up to court or kept their end of the deal with the court, we wouldn’t have any warrants to serve. It would be a win/win for us all.
Don’t forget that this Saturday (April 19th) is the city’s Easter Eggs-travaganza at John Lott Park. It will run from 10A-Noon, the hunt is for kids ages 1-8. The cost is a mere $1 per child or a “canned good”. The Easter Bunny should be in attendance as well, I believe he is taking a break from his photo gig at the mall to make this happen.
-Richey
Greetings,
We have uploaded the weekly report to our website (www.lytletx.org/police). Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Current Weekly Report.” If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me. You can reach me at our office (830-709-0277) or by email @ richard.priest@lytletx.org. There will be a regular city council meeting tonight, Monday, April 14, at 6:30 PM, Join us at City Hall. Friday, April 18th is a city holiday. All municipal offices will be closed, with the Police Dept. operating normally.
Lytle P.D. Officers handled 47 calls for service last week and conducted 75 traffic stops. Of those 75 stops, 39 resulted in citations and 36 were warnings.
Arrests: Officers made 4 arrests last week: #1- Ofc. L. Diaz and T. Barrera observed a person who they knew had a warrant out of Bexar Co. The 33-year-old male was taken into custody on the Burglary of a Habitation warrant and was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance (he was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail). #2- A traffic stop by Ofc. J. Cortez (assisted by Ofc. S. Mendez) resulted in the arrest of a 33-year-old male for possession of a controlled substance (he was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail). #3 – A traffic stop by Ofc. S. Mendez (assisted by Ofc. J. Cortez) resulted in the arrest of a 33-year-old male for an active dope warrant out of Brazos County (he was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail). Yes, the first three people we arrested were all 33 years old! #4 – A traffic stop by Ofc. J. Cortez resulted in the citation and release of a 41-year-old female for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Property Crimes: There were a few property crimes reported last week. #1 – A burglary occurred at the Good Luck Mart (the old Valero/Diamond Shamrock on the north end of Main St.). A couple of fellows backed up their truck, broke out a window, and made off with a “Gaming Machine.” I am sure they were looking for a guaranteed jackpot … more likely they will get a guaranteed trip to jail. Thanks to video evidence and help from our partners at S.A.P.D., our suspects have been identified. Fantastic job by Capt. M. Dear and Ofc. / Investigator A. Lopez for their quick work on solving this case. #2 & #3 – Ofc. F. Reyes took a report from H.E.B. Plus regarding thefts that occurred on 12/14/2024 and 4/4/2025. The same female was observed on video committing both thefts, the case is under investigation. #4 – A complainant in San Antonio reported that three forged checks were cashed at El Bufalo Pawn. #5 – Lytle Public Works discovered two fire hydrants where it appeared water was recently stolen. Water is a valuable commodity, and stealing it is a crime. Please report suspicious activity to us. I know we have all been tempted to water our yard by running a garden hose off our neighbor’s faucet when they are out of town. You can think about it, just don’t do it!
I forgot to mention last week that on April 2, Mayor Gonzalez swore in our newest officer. Paul Tafolla is a San Antonio native who comes to us from the Atascosa Co. Sheriff’s Office where he was a Patrol Deputy. We are now fully staffed with 12 full-time officers. It may seem like we have more officers … that is because I work so hard it seems like there must be two of me.
Last Thursday, in conjunction with our Municipal Court, we conducted a little warrant round-up. It took place during our regular court hours; it worked out well since the staff and Judge were already in place. Our officers visited 51 residences searching out those with outstanding warrants, mostly for not showing up for court for traffic citations. We had 15 defendants brought in or who turned themselves in after a visit to their residence that resulted in the clearing of 38 municipal warrants. I was told the court collected a little over $6,000 related to the warrant round-up. Our court is very easy to work with, and if you have an outstanding warrant, just stop by City Hall and chat with one of the court clerks.
We occasionally get negative feedback on serving these traffic warrants, stuff like “Don’t you have anything better to do?” and “Why aren’t you catching real criminals?” Part of our job is to serve the process from our municipal court; these warrants are part of that process. The judge signs the warrants and then sends them to us. It is that simple. If everyone showed up to court or kept their end of the deal with the court, we wouldn’t have any warrants to serve. It would be a win/win for us all.
Don’t forget that this Saturday (April 19th) is the city’s Easter Eggs-travaganza at John Lott Park. It will run from 10A-Noon, the hunt is for kids ages 1-8. The cost is a mere $1 per child or a “canned good”. The Easter Bunny should be in attendance as well, I believe he is taking a break from his photo gig at the mall to make this happen.
-Richey