Cookie Theft at Stripes Plays Big Role in San Angelo Jury Trial

SAN ANGELO, TX – Joe Ramon Gutierrez is on trial before a jury for drug possession and evading arrest in the 340th District Court in Tom Green County.

Gutierrez, 37, of San Angelo is accused of possession of between one and four grams of methamphetamine and evading arrest with a previous conviction. He was indicted for the crimes back in Oct. 2019. 

According to court documents, on Sep. 21, 2019, an officer with the San Angelo Police Department was dispatched to the Stripes Convenience Store on Glenna Dr. for an unwanted subject. Witnesses told the officer that a man had stolen a cookie and then fled the store.

As the officer arrived, a man, later identified as Gutierrez, was walked away from the store. The officer attempted to stop the man but instead of stopping Gutierrez fled. He did stop eventually but only after the officer pulled his taser. The officer found the stolen cookie inside a backpack.

Gutierrez was then taken to the jail. This is where he picked up his second charge. While changing into jail attire, Tom Green County jail staff discovered a bag of meth inside Gutierrez's underwear. The bag contained 2.4 grams of a white crystal substance that tested positive for meth.

On Feb. 27, 2023 Gutierrez entered a plea of not guilty, the jury was selected, and opening statements began. Now the jury will hear from both sides and determine if Gutierrez is guilty or not. If he is convicted he could face two to 10 years in prison with a fine of up to $10,000.