The Uvalde Police Department (UPD) is pleased to announce the clearance of ten separate cases of graffiti reported within the past two weeks. In these reported cases, a single juvenile offender was responsible for defacing private businesses along with state and government buildings.

Uvalde Criminal Investigators were able to develop leads that eventually led to the identification of the offender. Establishing territory in order to display “art” is alleged to be the apparent motivation for the acts of criminal mischief.

All cases have been forwarded to the Uvalde County juvenile probation office. The UPD is committed to keeping our community free from unsightly graffiti, please call (830)-278-9147 with any information that may assist us in that pursuit.

The Uvalde PD would also like to spotlight the successful clearance of a residential burglary that occurred in the 2000 block of East Main Street on Jan. 19. Uvalde PD investigators were able to collaborate with investigators with the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) and successfully obtain information needed to solve this burglary and recover items taken.

Arrested in connection with this burglary were Ci Sandoval Martinez (17) of Uvalde and a male (juvenile) suspect. The clearance of this burglary was made possible due to the combined efforts of a concerned citizen, The UCSO, and the UPD.

Also, the Uvalde Police Department participated in a multi-agency initiative on Jan. 22 in order to confirm the documented whereabouts of convicted sex offenders residing in Uvalde County.

Convicted sex offenders are required to register with the UPD or the UCSO on an annual basis depending on where they reside within Uvalde County. The multi-agency initiative involved the following agencies: the UPD, UCSO, the Department of Public Safety (narcotics division/criminal intelligence division/motor vehicle theft division), Immigration Customs and Enforcement, The United States Marshals Service, and The Sabinal Police Department.

The joint task force successfully visited several residences in the Uvalde County area and confirmed the reported whereabouts of many registered sex offenders. Future operations of this nature are planned throughout the upcoming year in an effort to obtain compliance with court ordered sex offender registration.

Uvalde County Sheriff Charles Mendeke is pleased with how the UPD and the UCSO is working together with other local, state, and federal agencies in order to better serve our citizens. Anyone interested in knowing the reported whereabouts of known sex offenders is encouraged to log on to the following web site provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety: www.txdps.tx.us.

This type of community partnership and inter-agency cooperation is essential in promoting a safe and secure community.

Please contact the UPD at (830)-278-9147 with any information regarding crimes occurring in your area. Please remember, information that you provide today could prevent a member of our community from becoming a victim of crime tomorrow.