Montgomery County, Texas · Thursday, Oct 8
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Courts & safety

Two arrested after deputies recover $3,000 in stolen merchandise

On October 1, Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies stopped a vehicle on I-45 South and arrested two suspects leaving a Ross store in The Woodlands Township. Deputies recovered more than $3,000 in stolen merchandise and tools used to remove anti-theft devices.

Earlier story. First reported Oct 5, 3:57 pm; added here Oct 8. Details may have changed since.

Where
The Woodlands Township (Ross store on Lake Woodlands Drive); I-45 South near Nursery Road; Montgomery County Jail
When
Oct. 1, 2026
First reported
Oct 5, 3:57 pm
Confirmed by
2 independent outlets
Published Oct 8, 7:26 am

Taxes & money

WhatAmountWho pays
Value of recovered stolen merchandise$3,000.00[1]Not stated
Bond for each suspect$750[2]Not stated

Who's involved

  • Jose Martinez · Suspect, 50-year-old Houston resident[1]
  • Jackelin Mendez · Suspect, 39-year-old Houston resident[1]

The facts

  1. Deputies located known retail theft suspects leaving a Ross store on Lake Woodlands Drive in The Woodlands Township on October 1, 2026.[1]
  2. Deputies initiated a traffic stop in the 26000 block of Interstate 45 South near Nursery Road after observing the suspects enter a vehicle and drive away.[1]
  3. A search of the vehicle yielded a large amount of stolen merchandise and specialized instruments used to remove anti-theft security devices.[1]
  4. The total value of the recovered stolen merchandise exceeded $3,000.00.[1]
  5. Martinez and Mendez were charged with Possession of a Criminal Instrument to Commit Retail Theft.[1]
  6. Both individuals face potential additional charges of Organized Retail Theft.[1]
  7. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holds have been placed on both suspects.[1]
  8. Martinez and Mendez are suspects in multiple retail thefts across other jurisdictions.[1]

Sources

  1. News Retail Theft Suspects arrested after Deputies recover more than $3,000 in Stolen Merchandise Hello Woodlands · Oct 5
  2. News Texas Pair Arrested After Deputies Discover $3,000 of Stolen Merchandise in Vehicle Yahoo · Oct 6

Written by AI from the sources above, under fixed rules: every fact is cited, claims are kept apart from facts, and dollar figures appear only when a source states them.