TEXAS COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SCHOOLSMOREUTB police search for computer theft suspects
By Ildefonso Ortiz
The Brownsville Herald

October 25, 2004 — Police are searching for two suspects who stole nearly $24,000 in electronic equipment and computers in 20 different robberies, including the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College.

One of the suspects is a former university employee and the second has been involved in thefts at different state universities, said UTB/TSC Police Chief John Cardoza.

“We have executed search warrants but the suspects were not there,” Cardoza said.

One suspect is Jesus Daniel Serna, of 265 Joey Ct., a former employee of Campus Media Services who is wanted for theft and making false statement to obtain property.

Another warrant was issued for Mario Alberto Gomez, of 607 Jo Ann Lane, who is wanted for theft.

Gomez is also wanted by St. Edwards University Police, UT Austin Police, and Texas State University Police as well as the Texas Rangers for a string of thefts across university campuses, said St. Edward’s University Spokeswoman Stephanie H. Elsea.

Gomez is believed to be associated with more than two dozen computer thefts, police said.

“Someone dressed like an average student walks into the building with an empty backpack,” Cardoza said of a suspect caught on surveillance videotape. “A couple of minutes later he walks out with a computer inside his backpack.”

According to Sgt. Armando Pulido, the rash of thefts began in January two months after UTB/TSC Police arrested Oziel Briones on March 15. Briones was arrested in connection with a rash of thefts at the university.

“We arrested him and things slowed down for a bit. We thought they were going to stay that way,” Pulido said. “After we started seeing this we increased our patrol and our surveillance”

Pulido said that the warrants they have issued for Serna only tie him to the July 29 theft of a $4,800 video projector stolen from the Science Engineering and Technology Building.

The projector was pawned at First Cash pawn on E. 14th Street.

According to police reports, the thefts took place in various buildings. But the majority took place at South Hall, where the most of the professors have their offices. The items stolen include video projectors, desktop computers and laptop units, police said.

Records also indicate that Serna provided police with a written confession where he stated that on several occasions he removed property from the university in order to pawn the items.

“We want him for one theft only for now, but he is still a suspect for several cases,” Pulido said.

Serna is 5-feet, 5-inches tall and of a medium built. He has black hair and brown eyes, however he is known to wear different colored contact lenses including red, white, purple, cat eyes, smiley faces and targets.

Gomez is 5-feet, 8-inches tall and also of a medium built. He has brown eyes and black hair.

People with information on suspects can call campus police at 544-8233 or 544-8232.

Name: Jesus Daniel Serna Age: 26
Height: 5.5
Other: Medium build, black hair, brown eyes, however he is known to wear different colored contact lenses including red, white, purple, cat eyes, smiley faces and targets.

Name: Mario Alberto Gomez
DOB: 25
Height: 5.8
Other: Medium build, black hair, Brown eyes