Man suspected in theft, burglary spree arrested after chase in West El Paso neighborhood
El Paso police chased a man through backyards during what officials described as a "dangerous criminal episode" Monday in a West Side neighborhood.
Samuel David Demeo, 28, is accused of an afternoon crime spree, including stealing a truck and breaking into an 81-year-old resident's home, police said.
The crimes occurred in neighborhoods along North Resler Drive near Escondido Drive and Belvidere Street.
The spree began at about 12:30 p.m. when Demeo alleged stole a truck parked in a driveway in the 6900 block of Granero Drive after the owner left the keys in the ignition, police said.
Minutes after parking, the owner saw his truck driving away. He borrowed a truck from another man at the scene and began following his stolen vehicle, police said.
Demeo allegedly rammed the stolen truck he was driving into the vehicle following him before the chase came to an end at a retirement home on Belvidere Street. Demeo ran into the neighborhood, police said.
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Then, Demeo allegedly stole items from an unlocked parked car in a driveway at the 7100 block of Gran Vida Drive, police said.
After allegedly burglarizing the car, he broke into a home, where he was confronted by the caretaker of an 81-year-old resident, police said. Demeo fled the home.
Responding police officers spotted Demeo and chased him across several backyards before arresting him after a struggle in the 600 block of Bristol Drive, near Belvidere Street and North Resler Drive, officials said in a statement.
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Demeo was arrested on charges of theft over $30,000 on the truck theft, burglary of habitation, burglary of vehicles, evading arrest and resisting arrest.
El Paso County Jail records show he also was booked on two additional charges of burglary of habitation and credit/debit card abuse on a case from Jan. 16.
Demeo remains held at the Downtown jail on a total bond of $147,000.
Daniel Borunda may be reached at 915-546-6102; dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: West El Paso chase ends in arrest of suspect in theft, burglary spree
