Crime & Safety
Pinehurst Man Borrowed Neighbors Car To Commit Burglaries: Police
Michael Armando Lopez, 25, was taking his neighbors car after she went to sleep to commit car burglaries in the area, police said.
PINEHURST, TX — A man, who investigators described as a serial car burglar, was arrested and faces several felony charges. Police said 25-year-old Michael Armando Lopez was taking his neighbor's car after she went to sleep at night, and driving to areas nearby where he committed several burglaries.
Deputies who were already investigating a rash of car burglaries in the area of Decker Woods, Goodson Loop, and the Coe Road areas around Pinehurst, were called to a home in the 700 block of Pond Circle on Feb. 1.
A woman at that address told investigators she believed someone was using her car during the night and returning the car prior to the morning, all without her knowledge.
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Deputies set up surveillance in the area that night and saw a man, later identified as Lopez, using the woman's car and driving to the areas were other car burglaries were reported.
Deputies tried to stop the car but Lopez refused to pull over, and fled from deputies at a high rate of speed, police said.
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During the pursuit, Lopez ran off the road and crash into a utility pole near the intersection of Price Lane and Goodson Loop.
Police said Lopez got out of the car and fled on foot. Police set up a perimeter and began a search for the suspect, and he was found hiding in a home nearby.
Police said Lopez had a key fob from the stolen car in his pocket along with narcotics.
Lopez was arrested and charged with multiple crimes including unauthorized use of motor vehicle, evading arrest with a vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance.
Police said Lopez had committed numerous burglaries over a span of about two weeks. Lopez is being held in the Montgomery County Jail and has bail amounts totaling $12,000, officials said.
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