Joseph Martinez Seen on Stolen City Camera Images: Police
Joseph Arthur Martinez is seen on a camera installed around the city that he allegedly stole. Inset: Martinez booking photo (via Bexar County (Tex.) Sheriff’s Office).
A Texas man accused of stealing a city surveillance camera that took photos of him in his home is behind bars.
Joseph Arthur Martinez, 48, is behind bars in Bexar County after being arrested Monday in San Antonio, police told Law&Crime in an email. Although he was arrested on unrelated charges, Martinez is believed to have captured a public camera that appeared to continue taking images of the alleged thief.
“The Del Rio Police Department, in collaboration with local law enforcement, is actively working to identify an individual who knowingly stole their trail camera installed in the city,” Del Rio police announced on Facebook on Monday. “Remarkably, the camera is still sending images to police and the suspect is believed to be unaware of this.”
Police posted some of the snapshots on social media that appeared to show a then-unidentified Martinez shirtless and lying on a bed. Another person also appears to be lying in bed and their face can be seen in one of the pictures.
The public posts asking for help seem to have worked.
“Yesterday afternoon, 11/13/2023, the Live Oak Police Department received tips that helped identify the suspect,” said Live Oak Police Det. and Sgt. Jason Andrada told Law&Crime in an email. “It was also discovered that day; Martinez was taken into custody by the San Antonio Police Department for an unrelated offense and subsequently booked into the Bexar County Jail. Live Oak Detectives were able to contact Martinez and plan to file additional charges against him soon.”
Andrada said Martinez is currently the primary suspect in the case, but the investigation is active and ongoing.
Bexar County Jail records show Martinez is currently in custody on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Bail was set at $15,000.
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