DEPUTIES FIND JUVENILES IN DESERT WITH STOLEN TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNS
3850 Justice Dr. El Paso, Texas 79938 
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Direct: (915) 538-2223
Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)
Release Date & Time: Friday, March 6, 2009 2:00 PM
WHO: EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE (STRIKE TEAM)
WHAT: DEPUTIES FIND JUVENILES IN DESERT AREA WITH STOLEN TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNS
WHEN: Thursday night 03-05-09 at 8:42 PM
WHERE: Desert area near the 330 block of Snoqualmie El past County, TX
WHY: ARRESTS MADE
EL PASO, TX- Thursday night 03-05-09 at about 8:42 PM STRIKE TEAM Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a pick-up truck that had just left the desert area in the 3300 block of Snoqualmie. The reason for the stop was a traffic offense. The Deputy noticed juveniles in the bed of truck along with several official traffic control signs; Stop sign, Speed limit sign (30 mph), and a No Dumping Allowed sign.
Further investigation by Deputies determined the signs had been removed from the Montana Vista area. Deputies made contact with County Roads and Bridges, who estimated the value of the stolen signs to be almost $600. All three juveniles- a 17 & two 16 year-olds were taken into custody. The 16 year-olds were processed, cited & released to their parents. The 17 year-old (Driver) identified as JONATHAN MONTES (17) of the 14300 block of Mceachern El Paso County, TX was arrested & charged with THEFT o/$500 u/$1,500. He was booked into the Detention Facility under a $2500.00 Bond.
The signs were recovered by County Roads and Bridges & placed back at their original locations to prevent any traffic hazards / accidents from occurring.
ARRESTED:
JONATHAN MONTES (17)
CHARGE: THEFT o/$500 u/$1,500 - $2500 BOND
THE IDENTITIES OF THE JUVENILES WILL NOT BE RELEASED BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE.
AN INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.
NO OTHE INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2001 was the first Sheriff’s Office in the State of Texas to be Internationally Accredited from CALEA and is now the recipient of the First CALEA Tri-Arc award in Texas (4th in the Nation) to have accreditations in: Law Enforcement, Communications, Training Academy.