Category: San Antonio News

Three people are detained after San Antonio police said they tried to steal catalytic converters from vehicles at a North Side car dealer.

The incident happened around 3:42 a.m. Sunday in the 3600 block of Fountainhead Drive.

Police were notified by overnight security at CarMax that several suspects were stealing catalytic converters from multiple vehicles.

A search was conducted by officers, SAPD’s EAGLE helicopter and K-9 units at the site, leading to three people being detained — a 17-year-old man, an 18-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman.

Officers found the suspects used power tools to cut the converters from vehicles in the parking lot.

Charges are still pending.

More on KSAT:

Bexar County firefighters battle brush fire spanning nearly 500 acres amid windy conditions

It’s been nearly one month since 3-year-old Lina Sardar Khil was home safe with her family.

“We’re continuing to be there for the family and also, to keep Lina in our prayers,” Michael Martin, community outreach and public relations for the Islamic Center of San Antonio, said.

Martin said Lina’s family and their community are trying to stay positive, but after this long, it’s only grown to be more difficult.

“Based on what we hear from law enforcement, you know they talk about the time frames and the sooner they can get a lead, the sooner they can find some things out, the better,” Martin said.

For weeks, the Islamic Center has offered a reward of $100,000 for information that leads to Lina’s discovery.

At the beginning, tips were flowing in but that has changed.

“They have slowed in recent, uh recent weeks but if we get anything we still pass that along,” Martin said.

Search and Rescue SATX was out searching again on Saturday, looking throughout a wooded area for Lina, but the wind cut their efforts short.

“We could not bring our K-9 out today because he can’t smell with the wind going as fast,” said Nina Glass, the co-director of Search and Rescue SATX.

The group has regularly looked through the woods near Lina’s family’s home hoping to find her or something that sheds light on where she’s been.

“We cleared some more areas that we needed to clear within our 3-mile radius but we didn’t find anything,” Glass said.

Both organizations have vowed not to give up because Lina’s family deserves answers.

“Whether it’s a positive or negative outcome, at least it’s closure. It’s closure for the community, it’s closure for the family,” Martin said.

Search and Rescue SATX said it’ll be out again searching next week.

SAPD is still the lead agency in this investigation. If you know anything, give them a call at (210)207-7660.

More on KSAT:

San Antonio volunteer groups continue search for 3-year-old Lina Khil on Northwest Side

Edinburg police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 77-year-old man.

A Silver Alert was issued Saturday evening in the disappearance of Juan Tellez-Rodriguez. Authorities said he was last seen on foot at 1:30 p.m. in the 500 block of S. 12th Avenue in Edinburg.

Tellez-Rodriguez is described as having white hair and brown eyes. He’s also diagnosed with a cognitive impairment, and his disappearance “poses a credible threat to his own health and safety,” police said.

Anyone with more information on Tellez-Rodriguez’s whereabouts is urged to contact Edinburg PD at 956-289-7700.

We’ll bring more updates as they become available.

Bexar County firefighters are battling a large brush fire that spans nearly 500 acres on the city’s Southeast Side.

The fire began Saturday afternoon and is still active in the area of Loop 1604 and FM 3432.

Firefighters said due to the dry land, low humidity and high winds, it creates the perfect storm for grass fires to start and spread quickly.

No injuries were reported and the flames threatened up to about 50 homes and livestock, according to SAFD. However, there were no reports of damages as of yet.

As of around 5 p.m., the fire was 80% contained.

Firefighters said it hasn’t been easy to get the fire under control, and they’re being careful with resources due to the fire risks that are still present.

In total, SAFD was called to 22 grass fires so far on Saturday in the county. They’re expecting that number to increase as the day goes on and the weather conditions continue.

We’ll bring more updates to this story as they become available.

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Photos: KSAT viewers show wind damage from Saturday’s cold frontStrong winds for San Antonio and surrounding areas Saturday

On Saturday, hundreds of people lined up at the AT&T Center to help fight the critical blood shortage in the San Antonio area.

The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center mobilized its efforts to increase its alarmingly low blood supply.

Liz Morales with the STBTC said she was overjoyed with the turnout.

“We’ve had plenty of people that scheduled an appointment, so they’re all coming out as well as a lot of walk-ins,” said Morales.

Saturday’s strong winds and chilly temperatures didn’t keep donors from stepping up to help.

“There’s a need right now and if we can help, this is a really good way to help people,” said Sandra Solis, a blood donor.

For some, donating blood is something they’ve always done.

“There is always the need. One day we may need it for ourselves, so it’s kind of a pay it forward type of thing,” said Kent Hornbacker, a blood donor.

For others, the critical need for blood is what led them to donate for the first time.

“We know our community needs the blood right now and we’re both first-time donors and we thought we’d come out here and do it together for the first time,” one blood donor said.

City officials said unlike previous shortages, there is nowhere to turn for additional blood.

The San Antonio community has a two-day supply of all blood types and blood type “O” is at less than a day of supply.

For more information on how to register to donate, visit www.southtexasblood.org/give.

More on KSAT:

Mayor Ron Nirenberg declares blood emergency in San Antonio, Bexar County

A cold front that blew into the San Antonio area Saturday morning brought along some powerful winds.

In fact, wind gusts even reached up to 50 miles per hour, leading to power outages and property damages.

Some KSAT viewers reported that their outdoor furniture, trees and even a school zone caution light was knocked over due to the wind gusts.

You can check out some of the KSAT viewer submitted photos and videos of Saturday’s wind down below:

Do you have photos/videos of the wind you would like to share with the KSAT team? You can submit them here: https://www.ksat.com/pins/

A Houston-area Cracker Barrel manager who fatally shot Saturday morning during an attempted robbery, has been identified by her family.

Robin Baucom, 59, had been working at the restaurant for 34 years, Robin’s sister Gail told KSAT’s sister station, KPRC.

“She is our hero and we hope she will be remembered as a hero because she lost her life trying to protect her employees and Cracker Barrel. She was always taking care of business wherever she was needed,” Gail told KPRC.

Cracker Barrel also released the following statement to KPRC regarding Baucom’s death.

“We can confirm that there was a criminal shooting at our Houston store on North Freeway prior to opening this morning which resulted in our store’s associate manager sustaining fatal injuries as she protected other employees from harm. All of Cracker Barrel is solely focused on supporting our manager’s family, her fellow employees, and local law enforcement as we grapple with this tragedy and grieve.”

The shooting happened in the 14700 block of North Freeway near Airtex Drive around 6:15 a.m.

According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, a female employee had just arrived at the restaurant when two men in a metallic gray-colored Dodge Charger pulled up.

Deputies said a man on the passenger side of the car asked the employee about store hours as the woman was ringing the doorbell to be let inside. He then got out of the car and attempted to steal her purse.

Baucom opened the door to let the employee inside and blocked the entryway as the man tried to force his way into the restaurant, authorities said. He pulled out a gun and shot Baucom in her torso.

She was taken to an area hospital where she later died, Sheriff Gonzalez said.

The man and the driver of the Dodge Charger fled the scene.

Gonzalez shared pictures of the possible suspect and vehicle on social media. He asks that anyone with information contact the HCSO Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stoppers at 713-22-8477.

The female shot this morning at the Cracker Barrel (14765 North Fwy) has been pronounced deceased at the hospital. These are images of the possible suspect & vehicle. Anyone with info is urged to call the @HCSOTexas Homicide Unit 713-274-9100 or CrimeStoppers 713-222-8477. pic.twitter.com/4sYaEZFMHa

— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) January 15, 2022

Negotiations are currently ongoing between police and a man who is believed to have taken hostages inside of a synagogue during morning services, according to a report from The Dallas Morning News.

The incident began Saturday at a synagogue in the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Road.

Police took to Twitter around 11:30 a.m., confirming they were “conducting SWAT operations” and that residents in the area have been evacuated.

We are currently conducting SWAT operations around the 6100 block of Pleasant Run Rd. All residents in the immediate area are being evacuated. Please avoid the area.

— Colleyville Police (@ColleyvillePD) January 15, 2022

Colleyville PD Sgt. Dara Nelson told The Dallas Morning News that the congregation shared a livestream on Facebook of the Shabbat morning service, but the video has since been removed.

Police said in the video, a man’s voice could be heard and he sounded angry at times, though it was unclear what was happening.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that negotiations could also be heard in the video between the alleged hostage taker and police.

It’s unknown how many people are inside of the building or whether the suspect is armed. However, no injuries have been reported, according to Sgt. Dara Nelson.

Negotiators have spoken to a man inside of the synagogue who they believe is the suspect, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Police said there is no threat to the general public at this time.

People are urged to avoid the area for the time being as police continue to work the scene. We’ll bring more updates as they become available.

More on KSAT:

Man found fatally shot in open field on Northeast Side, police sayInvestigation underway after police discover suspected human smuggling operation on South Side

An investigation is underway by Homeland Security officials and San Antonio police after the discovery of a suspected human smuggling operation on the South Side.

The incident initially stemmed from a shots fired call around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

Police were called to a Whataburger restaurant on Highway 16 and Loop 410, where officers found a 26-year-old man with a gunshot wound.

He told police he had been shot while inside of his vehicle in the 12900 block of Zarzamora. The man was taken to the Brooke Army Medical Center for further treatment.

Officials then made their way to Zarzamora to investigate when they noticed the back door of a trailer in the area was opening and closing. That’s when four people ran out, got into a vehicle and left the scene.

Eventually, police were able to catch up to the group at a Valero gas station off of Apple White and Loop 410. All four were taken into custody.

Police said 16 other people also tried to run from the scene on Zarzamora; however, they were later apprehended.

Further details are limited at this time, but an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations spokesperson confirmed the following:

“On Jan 15, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) responded to a call from San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) in reference to a suspected human smuggling event that took place on the southeast side of San Antonio. HSI San Antonio has initiated an investigation with support of SAPD. No additional details are being released at this time; the criminal investigation remains ongoing.”

This is a developing story and we’ll bring more updates as they become available.

More on KSAT:

Man found fatally shot in open field on Northeast Side, police say

The world’s largest convenience store will no longer be located in New Braunfels.

Although the 66,335 square foot Buc-ee’s in New Braunfels off of Interstate 35 previously held the title, a new Buc-ee’s store that’s being constructed in Tennessee will soon take the ranking, according to a report from WYMT-TV.

The new Buc-ee’s store was announced last year and will be located in Sevierville, spanning over 74,000 square feet on a 200-acre lot.

Construction is already underway and the site will also feature more than 120 fueling pumps, electric car charging stations and a car wash over 250-feet long, according to WYMT-TV.

New Braunfels officials took to Facebook and TikTok recently, sharing the bittersweet news to the dramatic tune of “Enchanted” by Taylor Swift with hashtags: #pleasedontbeinlovewithsomeoneelse and #dontleaveme.

Buc-ee’s is known not just for its size, but for it’s BBQ, restrooms and friendly service. The new location in Tennessee hopes to be a one-stop-shop for Smoky Mountains visitors.

Despite the melodramatics, the City of New Braunfels said it “can’t stay mad” at Buc-ee’s forever.

@cityofnewbraunfels

Oh Buc-ee’s, we can’t stay mad at you! Check the other video if you don’t know why we were mad #newbraunfelstexas #buccees #newbraunfels #forgive #istillloveyou #fyp #abcdefg #abcdefu

♬ ABCDEFU Romantic Version – TylerShawMusic

If you have yet to visit a Buc-ee’s, there are several stores scattered throughout Texas, Florida, Georgia and Alabama. To find one nearest you, click here.

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Let’s rodeo, San Antonio! Plan your 2022 rodeo.