San Angelo Man Arrested After Assisting with Robbery, Assault

SAN ANGELO, TX — A San Angelo man has been arrested for robbery after stealing a bike during an incident in which a man was assaulted.

Juan Banda, 50, was arrested by the San Angelo Police Department on Saturday for robbery.

According to court documents, on June 14, 2025, around 2:30 p.m., San Angelo police responded to the intersection of 9th Street and Oakes Street regarding a robbery.

On scene, officers spoke with the victim, who had suffered an injury to his brow from being punched. The victim further provided that as a result of the assault, his bicycle and glasses were stolen.

After speaking with the victim, it was learned that he had been traveling around the area of 9th and Magdalen streets. While on the bike, a red pickup pulled in front of him and cut him off. A man the victim knew as Jason Esparza exited the passenger side of the pickup and confronted him about money he owed.

Esparza began punching at the victim, and one of the punches landed and caused the injury. The victim believed Esparza had brass knuckles or a ring as he was cut.

After the victim was struck, the driver, identified as Juan Banda, picked up the bike and loaded it into the bed of the pickup. Esparza picked up the victim’s glasses and threw them into the bed of the truck as well. As the pickup left, the victim said he attempted to chase it but was quickly outpaced.

Investigators learned that officers made contact with a red pickup that matched the description that the victim gave them, and it was located on the unit block of East 10th Street. When the investigator responded to the location, a pair of glasses was observed in the bed of the truck, and a red bike had been brought out by one of the occupants of the residence. Banda was identified as the registered owner of the truck and was subsequently detained.

A mirandized interview was performed with Banda where he allegedly admitted he was the driver of the truck that confronted the victim. Banda said he was gathered by Esparza and told that he needed help in recovering a bike.

Banda then stated that he drove a few blocks to the location where the victim was confronted, and Esparza then exited the vehicle and assaulted the victim. Banda recalled that Esparza made remarks pertaining to the victim owing him money. The defendant then said he loaded the bike into the bed of the truck.

During this interview, Banda was able to cite details that were only known to be held by the victim.

Banda then identified that the bike on the porch was the same one he loaded into his truck.

Banda is currently an inmate in the Tom Green County Jail being held on $50,000 bond.