Burglary call on West Martinez Street leads to meth arrest

A check on a vacant house in the 300 block of West Martinez Street turned into a burglary arrest after the property owner found a door standing open and an unwanted man inside. Del Rio police said officers were called at 6:52 p.m. on June 7 and separated two men who were already arguing outside the residence.

Police said the property owner had arrived at the vacant home, noticed the open door and then discovered the man inside. The dispute continued outside, where officers broke it up before investigating the home itself. Inside, investigators found damage to a screen door and a glass door that they said had been forced to gain entry.

Officers also learned that a kitchen knife had been taken from inside the residence and later found outside the home. Police arrested David Anthony Bejarano, 44, and charged him with burglary of a building, criminal mischief causing damage greater than $750 but less than $2,500, and possession of a controlled substance Penalty Group 1/1-B of less than one gram.

During a search of Bejarano, officers found a clear plastic bag that tested positive for methamphetamine. He was taken to the police station for booking and later released to the custody of the GEO Correctional Facility pending magistration.

The case highlights how quickly a routine property check can become a layered burglary investigation involving damage, trespassing and narcotics charges. In this case, the owner’s decision to look inside the vacant home appears to have put police on scene while the situation was still active, helping officers separate the men and document the damaged doors before more evidence disappeared.

It also fits into a recent run of burglary-related cases in Del Rio and Val Verde County. On March 19, Del Rio police said they arrested two teens in a vehicle-burglary investigation, recovered additional stolen property and reported that one suspect tried to escape custody. In April, a Val Verde County jury sentenced Benjamin Lopez, 57, to 10 years in prison for burglary of a building after a 2022 break-in at a UPS storage shed, a case that was enhanced because of prior convictions.

For owners of vacant properties, the West Martinez Street arrest is a reminder that open doors and unchecked access points can turn a quiet building into a crime scene fast. In Del Rio, a quick report and a secured property can make the difference between a suspicious visit and a full burglary case.