April 2022 - Posts

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT – ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES

April 19, 2022

El Paso, Texas – The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that operating an All-Terrain Vehicle is prohibited on a public roadway as in the Texas Transpiration Code.

All-Terrain Vehicles are specifically designed for off-highway use and the use of an All-Terrain Vehicle on a public roadway places the rider and passengers in danger.

A person younger than 14 years of age may not operate an All-Terrain Vehicle unless the person is under the direct supervision of the person’s parent or guardian, or an adult who is authorized by the parent or guardian.

A person may not carry a passenger on an All-Terrain vehicle unless the All-Terrain vehicle is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger on it.

The Sheriff's Office is encouraging the public to stay safe and to always wear safety equipment such as helmets and eye protection when operating All-Terrain Vehicles.

Below is a list of Transportation Codes that will be enforced by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office in violation of Chapter 663 which is the certain Off-Highway Vehicles.

The following are examples of Off-Highway Vehicles but not limited in the definition:

All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Side by Side, and Quad

Sec. 663.034. SAFETY APPAREL IS REQUIRED.  A person may not operate, ride, or be carried on an all-terrain vehicle on public property or a beach unless the person wears: a safety helmet that complies with United States Department of Transportation standards; eye protection.

Sec. 663.036. CARRYING PASSENGERS. A person may not carry a passenger on an all-terrain vehicle operated on public property or a beach unless the all-terrain vehicle is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger.

Sec. 663.037. OPERATION ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS IS PROHIBITED. (a) A person may not operate an all-terrain vehicle on a public street, road, or highway except as provided by this section.

The operator of an all-terrain vehicle may drive the vehicle across a public street, road, or highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway, if the operator: brings the vehicle to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the roadway; yields the right-of-way to oncoming traffic that is an immediate hazard; and makes the crossing: At an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the roadway; At a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and with the vehicle's headlights and taillights lighted.

Sec. 551A.034. CROSSING HIGHWAY AT POINT OTHER THAN INTERSECTION. (a) The operator of an off-highway vehicle may drive the vehicle across a highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway at a point other than an intersection if the operator: brings the vehicle to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the roadway; yields the right-of-way to oncoming traffic that is an immediate hazard; and makes the crossing:

                   At an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the roadway;

                   At a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and

                   with the vehicle's headlights and taillights lighted.

The operator of an off-highway vehicle may drive the vehicle across a divided highway other than an interstate or limited access highway only at an intersection of the highway with another highway.

Sec. 551A.052. REGISTRATION; LICENSE PLATES. Except as provided by Section 502.140(c), the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles may not register an off-highway vehicle for operation on a highway regardless of whether any alteration has been made to the vehicle. An operator may operate an unregistered off-highway vehicle on a highway in a manner authorized by this subchapter only if the vehicle displays a license plate issued under this section. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: Shall by rule establish a procedure to issue license plates for unregistered off-highway vehicles; and May charge a fee not to exceed $10 for the cost of the license plate, to be deposited to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund. An off-highway vehicle license plate issued under Subsection (c) does not expire. A person who becomes the owner of an off-highway vehicle for which the previous owner obtained a license plate may not use the previous owner's license plate.

Sec. 551A.073. RECKLESS OR CARELESS OPERATION PROHIBITED. A person may not operate an off-highway vehicle on public off-highway vehicle land or a beach in a careless or reckless manner that endangers, injures, or damages any person or property.

Sec. 663.032. OPERATION BY PERSON YOUNGER THAN 14. A person younger than 14 years of age who is operating an all-terrain vehicle must be accompanied by and be under the direct supervision of the person's parent or guardian; or an adult who is authorized by the person's parent or guardian.

#IMPAWSTERS – APRIL 19, 2022

SHERIFF’S OFFICE: MOST WANTED FURever HOME

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MURDER ARREST – EFRAIN OROZCO

April 19, 2022

El Paso, Texas – On April 10, 2022, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to the Hospital of Providence East Campus, TX in reference to a female subject that had been shot. Upon arrival, deputies learned that a 21 -year-old female had been shot with life-threatening injuries in the desert area near the 14400 block of Montwood Dr. The Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit, responded and began its investigation.

The female victim was identified as Karina Isabel Tobias. On Monday, April 18, 2022, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office was informed that the female had passed away as a result of her injuries. Through the course of the investigation, the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit secured an arrest warrant charging 24-year-old Efrain Orozco with murder. Orozco was taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $500,000.00 bond.

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Most Wanted Fugitives Week of April 15, 2022

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BURGLARY OF HABITATION ARREST IN FABENS

April 14, 2022

El Paso, Texas- On April 14, 2022, at approximately 2:30 am., El Paso County Sheriff's Office Deputies responded to the 100 Block of SE 1st Street in Fabens, Texas in reference to an assault. The investigation revealed that the suspect, later identified as 49-year-old Barbara Gonzalez, had left the scene before the deputy's arrival. Gonzales had entered the residence (without consent) and assaulted the victim. Deputies later conducted a traffic stop on Gonzalez’s vehicle at the 15800 block of North Loop Drive. Gonzalez was placed under arrest and charged with Burglary of Habitation and Driving While Intoxicated BAC>.15. 

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EXPLORER POST 2005 –TRAINING 4-14-2022

April 14, 2022

El Paso, Texas- On April 13, 2022, The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Community Services Section held training for the Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 2005. In this session, Explorers trained and learned about Instructional Guide for Crime Scene.

PowerPoint handouts were given to the Explorers by Deputy Daniel Sanchez. Explorers participated and conducted hands-on training, which consisted of dusting for fingerprints, lifting quality fingerprints, and how to properly collect blood evidence. Explorers were instructed on how to photograph a crime scene and how to properly sketch a crime scene by Michelle R. Flahive, Crime Scene Investigator. Other topics covered were crime scene preservation and the importance of preventing contamination in forensic investigations that can likely affect the integrity of the crime scene. Explorers were then divided into teams and given a scenario on how to sketch, measure, fingerprint, and properly process a crime scene.

The explorer post and its advisors provide explorers with education, training, and important information upon which to base their decision to pursue a career in law enforcement. Explorers were advised on next the training day being held on Thursday, April 28th at the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Topic will be room clearing / building search.  

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PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK / APRIL 10-16, 2022

April 14, 2022

El Paso, Texas – The El Paso County Sheriff's Office Celebrate and Recognize “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.” Each year, the second full week of April is dedicated to men and women serving as public safety telecommunicators. This crucial role is filled by telecommunicators and dispatchers, who utilize telephones, radios, computers, and technical skills to provide vital support for law enforcement and fire services throughout the city and county.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Communications Section is a 24-hr, 7 days per week operation. It provides radio communications and computer-aided dispatch to units in the field and responds to inquiries from officers in the field regarding wanted and missing individuals as well as verifying stolen property. In addition to Sheriff’s units, Communications also provides these services to other law enforcement agencies, fire departments in the County and the Medical Examiner’s Office. As can be seen, their functions are indispensable to the safety and welfare of citizens throughout the County. In honor of these hard-working individuals, County Commissioners read and signed a resolution declaring April 10th through April 16th , 2022, as “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

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21 year old female shot in desert area

On April 10, 2022, at approximately 4:00 pm., the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to the Hospital of Providence East Camps in El Paso County , TX in reference to a female subject that had been shot. Upon arrival, deputies learned that a 21-year-old female had been shot in the desert area near the 14400 block of Montwood. At this time, the female subject is in stable condition.  The Major Crimes Unit is investigating the circumstances of why the female subject was shot.   The investigation is still in progress; no further information at this time

#IMPAWSTERS – APRIL 12, 2022

SHERIFF’S OFFICE: MOST WANTED FURever HOME

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Most Wanted Fugitives Week of April 8, 2022

EL PASO, TEXAS – Crime Stoppers of El Paso, Inc., distributes fugitives wanted by the El Paso Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office every week through the Most Wanted feature.  The attached fugitives are individuals, where attempts in locating them for one reason or another have been unsuccessful.  The agencies submit these fugitives to Crime Stoppers of El Paso, Inc., which distributes them to the news media and offers the use of the Crime Stoppers hotline for information regarding the whereabouts of these fugitives.  Anyone with information on the location of any of these fugitives should call Crime Stoppers of El Paso immediately at (915) 566-8477 (TIPS), or submit the information on-line at www.crimestoppersofelpaso.org.  You will remain anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you can qualify for a cash reward.  Crime Stoppers of El Paso, Inc., is a non-profit organization that brings together the community, law enforcement, and the media to solve crime.

To access the Most Wanted page on the Crime Stoppers Website, please use the following link: http://www.crimestoppersofelpaso.org/sitemenu.aspx?P=wanteds&ID=235.

Contact: Crime Stoppers Coordinator @ (915) 212-4056

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AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AT THE BLOCK OF 800 BOB NEILL DR.

April 8, 2022

El Paso, Texas - On April 7, 2022, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to a residence located at the 800 block of Bob Neil in San Elizario, TX in reference to an aggravated assault that had just occurred. Upon arrival, deputies learned that a 19-year-old male had been shot and was transported to a local hospital for his injuries. At this time, the male subject is in stable condition. The Major Crimes Unit is currently investigating the case; no further information at this time.

EXPLORER POST 2005 –TRAINING

April 8, 2022

El Paso, Texas- On April 6, 2022, from 6:00 pm. to 8:30 pm., The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Community Services Section held training for the Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 2005. In this session, Explorers trained and learned about Domestic Violence. Deputies instructed explorers on how to handle domestic violence calls. Deputies conducted scenarios using actors and explorers were judged on officer presence, verbal commands, communication skills, officer safety, and coordinating information with dispatch. In the past two years, the Sheriff’s Office was not active with the explorer program due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Deputy Adrian Gonzales and Deputy Daniel Sanchez are working hard to bring back the explorer program. The Explorer Post is a program for young adults ranging between the ages of 14 to 20 years of age, who are interested in a career in Law Enforcement. Deputies from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office train the Explorers on topics that patrol deputies respond to. These topics range from domestic violence, burglary in progress, building searches, arrest and search, traffic stops, felony traffic, crime scene, and hostage negotiations. The Sheriff’s Office currently has nine explorers in their post.

The goal of the Explorer Post is to afford an opportunity to young adults of the community to observe, participate, and learn about law enforcement. The explorer post and its advisors provide explorers with education, training, and important information upon which to base their decision to pursue a career in law enforcement.

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Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition and Southwestern Border Sheriff’s Coalition

April 7, 2022

El Paso, Texas- The Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition and Southwestern Border Sheriff’s Coalition will be hosted by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. They will hold their Annual Spring Conference in El Paso at the DoubleTree by Hilton El Paso Downtown on April 11, 2022.

The two Coalitions consist of 33 county sheriffs whose counties are along the Texas-Mexico border. They meet twice a year to discuss current issues, offer training, and network with other agencies to keep communities safe.

The Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition was organized on May 4, 2005 and is represented by the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of each respective county. Texas Sheriffs, empowered by the state constitution, are committed, from a national security perspective to protecting lives, property, and the rights of the people, maintaining order and security in the United States along with the republic of Mexico border, enforcing the law impartially, and provide police service in partnership with other law enforcement agencies and community partners.

Media is invited Monday April 11th, at 5:00 pm. At the Double Tree by Hilton El Paso.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT at Mile Marker 39

April 7, 2022

El Paso, Texas- On Thursday, April 7, 2022, at approximately 12:00 pm., El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident on Interstate10 west involving two tractor-trailers at mile marker 39. No serious injuries have been reported, Interstate10 westbound is closed and will remain closed for the next two hours. Traffic will be detoured at exit 39 and north onto the gateway and back onto Interstate-10 at Eastlake. No further information is available at this time.

Featured Fugitives Are Apprehended–Ibarra and Brown

EL PASO, TEXAS – Hector Alonso Ibarra, and Zuelena Elayne Brown, who were featured on the Crime Stoppers Most Wanted have been apprehended. Ibarra was featured on April 1, 2022, and he was wanted for INDECENCY WITH A CHILD SEXUAL CONTACT.  Brown was featured on April 1, 2022, and she was wanted for AGGRAVATED ROBERY. 

Please remove, Ibarra and Brown from any postings, as they are no longer wanted.

Contact:  Crime Stoppers Coordinator 915 212-4056

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       HECTOR ALONSO IBARRA                   ZUELENA ELAYNE BROWN

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