Homedefense in Alton, TX

[Paladin]

http://www.themonitor.com/SiteProcessor ... ion=Valley

"Sheriff: Shooting a case of mistaken identity
November 15,2005
Miriam Ramirez
The Monitor


ALTON — Hidalgo County sheriff’s officials believe Monday’s early morning shooting outside a ranch home is another case of mistaken identity — the third of its kind in the past week.

Shattered glass still covered parts of the roadway Monday afternoon along 6 Mile Line and Stewart Road after a caretaker watching over Los Ojitos Ranch was awakened by the sound of gunfire, said Sheriff Lupe Treviño. Around 5:30 a.m., a group of men riding in a late-model GMC Denali stopped in front of the tan wooden home and opened fire. In self-defense, the sole occupant inside the home rushed out armed with a shotgun and a 9 mm handgun and returned fire. It is unclear whether anyone was wounded in the shooting, the sheriff said.

However, during the shootout, the man managed to shatter the vehicle’s windshield and puncture its radiator, which left a visible trail of fluid as the SUV sped away, headed northbound on Stewart Road.

Throughout the morning and early afternoon, deputies combed through rural areas for any signs of the black SUV.

"They couldn’t have gotten very far with the radiator shot out," Treviño said. "We wanted to be on the lookout for these guys."

But sheriff’s deputies aren’t convinced anyone at the ranch or inside the Denali knew one another.

Preliminary investigations showed insufficient evidence to prove the ranch home was a stash house or place where drugs were sold, the sheriff said.

"Usually there is a relationship between the occupant and the invaders, but there are times, the wrong place is identified and there are innocent victims," Treviño said. "This time, we believe there was a mistake."

Last week in Abram, a group of four or five men stormed into a neighborhood residence armed with long-barrel guns looking for money and drugs. Using two-way radios, someone outside the home told the men they were in the wrong house, Treviño said.

"This we suspect is again, mistaken identity."

Sheriff’s deputies are still looking for a white Chevrolet or Pontiac van with a sliding door.

That same night, in an unrelated case, a group of three pseudo-cop robbers pistol-whipped a man inside his colonia home south of Alamo after they failed to find drugs or money in the home. The three men, claiming to be FBI agents broke through the door, threatening the entire family. When they could not find the drugs or money they were looking for they beat the home owner with their guns. The men are still on the loose, sheriff’s officials said. Both home invasions believed to be crimes of mistaken identities, Treviño said.

Authorities reassure residents the county is a relatively safe place to live, despite the rash of home invasions or reports of kidnappings.

"Most of the time there is a connection but there are exceptions to that rule when criminals target the wrong place," Treviño said.

Deputies are looking for a black 2002 or 2004 GMC Denali. There should be extensive damage to the front end of the vehicle. Anyone with information contact Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers at (956) 383-8114. Callers will remain anonymous.

Miriam Ramirez covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4441. "

[HighVelocity]

Authorities reassure residents the county is a relatively safe place to live, despite the rash of home invasions or reports of kidnappings.

Yeah. I'll be moving there soon.

[stevie_d_64]

Authorities reassure residents the county is a relatively safe place to live, despite the rash of home invasions or reports of kidnappings.

Yeah. I'll be moving there soon.

"Baghdad Bob",

"I tell you...There are NO home invasions within a hundred miles of here, I assure you!"

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We need to get this guy on Leno...He'd be a riot!