BEAUMONT, Texas — Police say a group of burglary suspects used a device to disrupt police radios on Wednesday while burglarizing a home in Groves.
Groves officers were sent to a home in the 3700 block of Debbie St. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, where police were told that four or five masked men were attempting to burglarize a home according to a news release.
While on the call officers experienced some disruption of their radio communications according to the release.
After officers found that the home had been burglarized they spotted two of the suspects in a nearby field and arrested them following a brief foot chase.
Officers searched the suspects and found a radio "jamming device" in a backpack that they believe was being used during the burglary according to the release.
A third suspect was arrested after police say he was driving a vehicle that slowly approached and nearly struck several officers as they were crossing 39th St. while searching for suspects.
After stopping and speaking to the driver they believed he was "associated" with the other two suspects and was involved in the burglary the release said.
Pedro Henry, 30, Jonathan Zuniga-Bravo, 39 and Jaider Quinones-Riascos, 32, were all arrested and charged with burglary of a habitation, a second degree felony and several other charges, according to jail records.
Here's a breakdown of all their charges and bail amounts...
- Pedro Henry, total bond: $235,000
- Engaging in organized criminal activity, first degree felony: $75,000
- Burglary of a habitation, second degree felony: $30,000
- Engaging in organized criminal activity, first degree felony: $100,000
- Interfering w/radio freq intend off/interf response, state jail felony: $10,000
- Unlawful use of a criminal instrument, third degree felony: $20,000
- Jaider Quinones-Riascos, total bond: $80,000
- Engaging in organized criminal activity, first degree felony: $50,000
- Burglary of a habitation, second degree felony: $30,000
- Jonathan Zuniga-Bravo, total bond: $100,000
- Burglary of a habitation, second degree felony: $75,000
- Interfering w/radio freq intend off/interf response, state jail felony: $10,000
- Unlawful use of a criminal instrument, third degree felony: $15,000
Jamming radio signals is against federal law, according to the FCC website.
"Federal law prohibits the operation, marketing, or sale of any type of jamming equipment that interferes with authorized radio communications, including cellular and Personal Communication Services (PCS), police radar, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS)," according to the FCC.
There is no word yet on if any of the men will face federal charges related to using the "jamming device."
Groves officers got help from deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office K9 unit, and drone support from the Port Neches Fire Department and the Port Arthur Police Department as well as from officers with the POrt Neches Police Department and the Port Arthur Crime Scene unit.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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