SAN MARCOS, Texas – After a year of investigations, 18 people have been indicted for a major San Marcos crime ring accused of stealing construction equipment across Texas.

The crime ring is believed to be responsible for finding, stealing, transporting, storing and selling $765,000 worth of heavy equipment. The items were mostly taken from construction sites and includes electronics, tires, mountain bikes, commercial grade power washers, lawn equipment, ATVs, vehicles, firearms and other construction equipment.

According to investigators, the people partnered with criminal networks to sell the stolen items for cash or methamphetamines. Police said members of the crime ring associated with the Aryan Circle and Aryan Brotherhood of Texas.

After years of investigating the 18 people were indicted in June for property theft and engaging in organized criminal activity.

“This multi-year investigation represents the tenacity of one detective,” said San Marcos Police Commander Kelly Bomersbach.

“Through Detective [Patrick] Aubry’s persistence and hard work, a vast criminal ring has been exposed, and hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment has been recovered. Detective Aubry received invaluable support from area crime analysts and other law enforcement agencies to complete this investigation.”

18 suspects indicted:

  • JD Ross
  • William Lawrence
  • Christopher Blake Thomas 
  • Sonya Elayne Brown 
  • Adam Ray Lawrence 
  • Texas Ross Wiley 
  • Marco Antonio Castilla
  • Arturo Corona-Reyes 
  • Rick Alan Linda
  • Ronnie Dale Belk 
  • Randy Lee Mulkins
  • Wesley Don Welch 
  • Anthony Todd Voight  
  • Kristy Gabrielle Ybarra
  • Dean Edward Swenson 
  • Jess McCoy Hyatt IV    
  • Gerald Douglas Searcy
  • Stewart Michael Wells