Luis Alberto Vargas
By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
A beer run on Saturday ended in an elderly man reportedly beaten with an 18-pack of beer.
At approximately 3:39 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, San Benito police responded to a convenience store located on the 300 block of S. Sam Houston Blvd. in reference to a beer run. “It was his second beer run of the morning,” said Internal Affairs Detective Rogelio Banda Jr. of the person accused of said crimes.
After investigation, officers said Luis Alberto Vargas, 20, had been accused of assaulting a 65-year-old male customer on his way out of the business, using the 18 pack of beer the suspect had allegedly stolen from the store.
Banda said, “The suspect walked into the store, did a beer run, came back a few minutes later and did another beer run. On the way out of the store during the second beer run, Vargas came into contact with the victim and offered him a beer.”
Banda explained that the victim is “a regular customer at the store and was upset to be approached” by the suspect. Reportedly, the victim declined the beer which had been offered to him by his alleged assailant. Afterward, Banda said Vargas allegedly “hit the man in the face using the 18 pack.”
After interviewing the victim, other witnesses and utilizing store video surveillance, criminal investigators were able to positively identify Vargas as the accused. Later that morning, at approximately 9 a.m., officers spotted Vargas, accompanied by a family member, traveling in the same vehicle reportedly used in the beer run.
Officers arrested Vargas on outstanding warrants from municipal court. Vargas was later charged with aggravated assault and taken to city jail where he was arraigned by Municipal Judge Ben Yudesis, who set bond at $15,000. The suspect was then transported to Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center in Olmito.
According to Banda, Vargas has a prior criminal arrest history which includes the following: possession of marijuana, family violence and criminal mischief. In addition to these charges, Vargas has seven outstanding traffic warrants totaling $3,097.
Although Vargas is not of legal age to consume alcohol, Banda said the subject will not incur specific charges for being underage to consume the beer.
Read this story in the Nov. 28 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
1 comment
Thats not a bond that’s a slap on the hand thats why these stupid kids keep doing these things now who are this kids parents. The parents should also be charged for the behavior of this kid.