Investigators say the 26-year-old suspect targeted storm-hit areas and stole equipment meant for flood rescues.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — A fugitive wanted on nine felony warrants was taken into custody Monday after a brief chase on San Antonio’s North Side, ending a months-long investigation into burglaries spanning Kerr County and the San Antonio area, authorities said.
Officials said the arrest closes a case that had frustrated residents rebuilding from the July 4 Hill Country floods. Investigators had tied the suspect to a series of break-ins at homes and businesses in and around Kerrville and to thefts of tools and emergency gear meant for rescue crews. The case drew added attention as local agencies invested in new warning systems and continued releasing records about the flood response. The arrest, made with help from state troopers and local police, shifts the investigation toward formal charges and the return of stolen property.
Authorities said troopers and officers moved in after spotting a vehicle linked to earlier burglaries near Interstate 10 and Vance Jackson Road around midafternoon. After a short pursuit on surface streets, officers boxed in the car and arrested the driver without further incident. KENS 5 cameras recorded the takedown as officers placed the suspect in handcuffs and searched the vehicle. “This came together because multiple agencies shared intelligence and stayed patient,” a Department of Public Safety spokesperson said at the scene. Traffic briefly slowed while police cleared the roadway; no injuries were reported.
Investigators identified the suspect as 26-year-old Anthony Brandon Ibarra and said he was wanted on nine felony warrants, including aggravated robbery out of Bexar County. Detectives also accused him of stealing equipment intended for flood rescues and of targeting properties evacuated after high water. The warrants span cases in San Antonio-area jurisdictions and Kerr County. Officials did not immediately disclose how much equipment or cash was recovered after the arrest. Police said additional charges are likely as they compare serial numbers from recovered tools with earlier theft reports and burglary scenes in Kerrville and nearby unincorporated areas.
The arrest comes six months after catastrophic floods along the Guadalupe River devastated parts of the Texas Hill Country, killing more than 100 people statewide and prompting a long recovery in Kerr County. In the months since, residents reported sporadic looting and thefts from damaged homes and construction sites as cleanup continued. County leaders have since pursued siren networks and other flood-warning upgrades, and agencies have released lengthy 911 recordings that show dispatchers fielded hundreds of calls in the first hours of the disaster. The arrest reignited anger among survivors who said thefts slowed rebuilding and strained trust.
Officials said the suspect was booked into a local jail late Monday and will face an initial appearance this week. Because the warrants include crimes from multiple jurisdictions, prosecutors are expected to coordinate the order of cases. Detectives said they will brief residents whose property may have been recovered and plan to seek court orders for restitution. A judge will set bond at a later hearing, and additional search warrants are pending for digital devices seized during the arrest to track possible accomplices and fencing operations.
On Tuesday, people in Kerrville described a bitter mix of relief and frustration. “We’re thankful someone is in custody,” said contractor Luis Ortega, who has been repairing flood-damaged homes since July. “But a lot of families lost tools twice—first to the water, then to thieves.” Outside a North Side strip center near the arrest scene, bystanders said the chase ended quickly. “You could see unmarked units close in,” said Mira Alvarez, who was leaving a nearby store when officers surrounded the car. “It was over in seconds.”
As of Tuesday night, investigators said they were still cataloging evidence from the vehicle and preparing reports for prosecutors. Officials plan to release more details about charges and court dates later this week.
Author note: Last updated 2026-01-16.