By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
RIO HONDO – In light of three recent carjackings and the murder of a United States Border Patrol agent at rural fishing holes near the Rio Hondo, Santa Monica and Arroyo City areas, some residents have raised concern for their overall safety.
Gustavo Sandoval Tijerina, a Mexican national residing in Hidalgo County, was apprehended after he allegedly confessed to killing Border Patrol agent Javier Vega Jr. while Vega, 36, was reportedly fishing with his family in Willacy County, near F.M. 1420, on Sunday, Aug. 3.
Prior to this incident—on June 20, June 22 and July 6—armed robberies occurred on FM 1420 near Mile Marker 720 in Rio Hondo. In all of the aforementioned robberies, two people were fishing when approached by armed men who stole their personal property.
“All aggravated robberies were committed in the same manner, suggesting the robberies were committed by the same people,” stated a Cameron County Sheriff’s Office report.
Two suspects, Tijerina and an unnamed male, were apprehended by authorities in conjunction with the Aug. 3 incident. Considering the proximity of the Hidalgo County crime in relation to the armed robberies that occurred in Cameron County, the alleged armed robbery victims were presented with a photo lineup that contained a picture of Tijerina. Several of the alleged victims selected Tijerina as allegedly being involved in the armed robberies.
Warrants have since been obtained for multiple persons allegedly involved in engaging in organized criminal activity and aggravated robbery, which is a first degree felony in the state of Texas. Until all suspects have been apprehended, Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio declined to speak further into the matter.
Meanwhile, some residents of Rio Hondo and its neighboring fishing communities have expressed a concern for their safety while enjoying nature and their beloved pastime.
Maria Manzano of Rio Hondo is the mother of two small children, ages 7 and 4. She said, “My family doesn’t really go fishing, but actually, because of everything I’ve heard recently, I don’t think it’s safe to be out there. I would feel safer if (Rio Hondo) could put security guards or policemen to watch recreational areas. That would be good, and it would make people feel safer. We could enjoy (being outdoors) better.”
Rio Hondo Chief of Police, Weldon Matlock, said “In our City Limits we do patrol, but (some of) these incidents are pretty far outside of our city limits. The boat ramp here, by the bridge, we do patrol that. My officers drive and patrol the park; they shut it down and open it back up in the morning.”
“Local officials need to do a little bit more,” said Jorge Garcia of Harlingen, “for security’s sake. I don’t really feel safe with all the illegals coming over trying to get whatever they can. They could rob you, and you never know.”
Rio Hondo has a limited number of police officers on its force. Matlock said he has applied—albeit unsuccessfully—for grants that would allow them to hire more officers. He added, “I’m working with (City Manager) Ben Medina to try to get another officer on duty for the next budget year, which starts Oct. 1. We’re (trying to get) an extra officer and newer equipment.”
Lucio also expressed concern for sending additional units out at this time. “We are concerned about this (criminal activity),” Lucio said. “We have units patrolling. We have all kinds of units out there, even unmarked. We arrested some of the people involved, and have more arrests to make. We send our units out there constantly.”
Bill French, a resident of Rio Hondo, said the recent spike in criminal activity “got my attention.” French said he “mostly fishes in Arroyo City and feels safe there…but will be keeping an eye out.”
Stacy York, of Arroyo City, sees no reason to change her fishing routine. “You can’t fear death,” York said.
“I live in Twin Palms,” said E.B. Henson, “and I feel safe here.” Henson is a winter visitor who has been fishing in the Valley since 1995. He now resides in Rio Hondo around nine months out of the year, and expressed little fear or concern for his safety.
“I would feel safe fishing,” said Laurel Haas of La Feria, “if I had a gun on me.”
Jim Taylor, of Rio Hondo, added “I’d want to have a gun on me if someone approached, but the Border Patrol agent had one, and look what happened to him.”
“An officer was out there (at the crime scene) right before the incident occurred,” said Lucio. The Sheriff maintains that as many units as possible are sent to rural fishing holes and surrounding areas. “People are now in jail, and we’re looking for the rest of them. This investigation is ongoing, and that’s all I can say.”
Even after the apprehension of two Mexican nationals allegedly associated with these crimes, Jim Hopper of Rio Hondo said, “I still don’t feel safe.” Hopper feels that the job of keeping the borders free of crime is best suited for Border Patrol agents rather than county and local officials. Hopper said, “They should take the politics out of everything, and just let the Border Patrol do its job.”
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