1 day ago
Two individuals suspected of burglarizing vehicles in a Bexar County neighborhood early Sunday morning died after crashing while attempting to flee deputies, Sheriff Javier Salazar reported.
The call came in around 4 a.m. Sunday, reporting possible burglars in action. A caller saw two men in an older-model Toyota driving through the neighborhood, checking door handles and breaking into vehicles.
Investigators also have video showing the suspects entering driveways, checking doors, and burglarizing cars, the sheriff said.
When a deputy arrived near the intersection of Blacktail Crest and Bonita Bend, the deputy spotted the blacked-out Toyota speeding away from the area, according to Salazar.
The deputy initiated a pursuit and activated overhead lights but lost sight of the vehicle moments later.
A second deputy in the area then observed the same vehicle speeding through the intersection.
By the time deputies reached the crash scene, the Toyota had wrecked, and both suspects were found critically injured and pronounced dead at the scene.
Both men appear to be young, though they had not been identified as of Sunday. Investigators also suspect the Toyota may have been stolen, but this had not been confirmed.
Deputies canvassed the neighborhood Sunday morning, continuing to find vehicles burglarized overnight.
The suspects were wearing gloves, which investigators believe supports the theory they were breaking into cars before the crash.
As standard procedure, the deputy who activated his lights will be placed on administrative leave and later moved to administrative duty while the case is reviewed.
The sheriff’s office Internal Affairs Division and Public Integrity Unit are conducting separate investigations due to the custodial death.
At this point, Salazar said deputies appear to have followed department policy, though investigations are ongoing.
“It’s certainly a tragic loss of life,” Salazar said, adding that the two men died after making “very, very poor choices.”
