The Salado Police Department announced Friday it had filed charges against two suspects in connection with a Jan. 10 burglary at the Salado Museum.
Investigators presented their case to the Bell County District Attorney's Office, which accepted charges against Hector Balderas and Adrianna Mendez.
Balderas, 36, of Belton, was arrested by Belton Police and booked into the Bell County Jail Monday morning. He was still being held Friday on bonds totaling $30,500. The Salado Police Department charged him with burglary of a building. But, he also faces charges from Belton Police of possession of a controlled substance, driving with license invalid, and failure to identify. Motions were also been filed to revoke his probation.
Salado Police said they were still searching for Mendez on Friday. And, anyone who knew her whereabouts was asked to call the Salado Police Department at 254-947-5681 or the Bell County Sheriff's Office at 254-933-5412. Click here to submit an anonymous Crime Stoppers tip online.
Salado Police Chief Rick Ashe previously said the museum was burglarized by a thief who climbed through a window and stole $200-300 from the cash drawer, in addition to taking a credit card. In January, police released an ATM surveillance photo that appeared to show Balderas trying to use that stolen card. At the time, officers were also looking to identify the woman pictured with him -- who was not Mendez. Salado Police later determined that woman was not involved, and she was not charged with a crime.
Mendez, on the other hand, remained a suspect, according to police. Reached by phone Friday, Ashe said he did not have a photo of Mendez nor were investigators sure where she was living. However, he said there was a possibility she might be in Killeen. He said she was 17.
