Car Thefts and Evading San Angelo Police Leads to Drug Related Arrests

SAN ANGELO, TX- Manuel Justin Rivas, 25, has been charged with Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle Evading arrest, and having possession of various controlled substances on Sunday, Dec. 4.

Around 4:10 p.m. on Sunday, San Angelo Police Officer T. Dietz was patrolling the unit block of E. 25^th Street when he observed a white Nissan Versa similar to one that was reported stolen from the 2008 block of Chestnut Street in early November.

Officer Dietz confirmed the vehicle was stolen, and started following the vehicle to a residence located in the unit block of W 26^th. The vehicle’s male driver and passenger exited the vehicle and began to run after seeing they were being followed.

The vehicle’s driver was located a short time later by a responding officer and taken into custody without incident. Rivas charges included Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, Possession of Dangerous Drug, and Class B Possession of Marijuana.

In addition, around 7:20 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5, San Angelo Police were dispatched to a residence in the 3300 block of North Haven Court where a victim reported the theft of a maroon 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Apprentice Police Officer S. Beal observed the stolen Jeep and initiated a high-risk traffic stop at S. Abe and W. Avenue D.  The driver, identified 30-year-old Calvin Wayne Thames, and 17-year-old passenger Xavier Matheo Rivas were taken into custody without incident.

Thames and Rivas were transported to Police Headquarters for questioning.  Subsequent to their interviews, Thames was charged with Unlawful Possession of Firearm by a Felon in connection to a stolen handgun that was located inside the stolen Jeep.  Rivas was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 (methamphetamine). Charges for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle are pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.