BREAKING: Police Arrest Suspect in Attempted Kidnapping
(Tenencio “Dennis” Moraga III has been arrested by the SMPD)
The following is a press release sent out by the City of San Marcos:
The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force arrested a man Thursday just after noon in North Austin who is accused of attempting to kidnap an 11-year-old girl in San Marcos on Sept. 7.
Officers arrested Tenencio Moraga III (DOB 01/07/1983) on charges of attempted kidnapping.
“The quick capture of this individual is the culmination of several key factors – hard work by our personnel, the willingness of multiple citizens to come forward with information after viewing the photographs distributed by the media, and the cooperation of several law enforcement agencies in Central Texas to make his capture a priority,” said Chase Stapp, San Marcos Chief of Police. “It is a perfect example of the kind of teamwork necessary to keep our communities safe. We appreciate the efforts of everyone involved.”
Acting on leads provided by the public and Austin Regional Intelligence Center (ARIC), officers with the Lone Star Fugitive Task force set up surveillance on a residence in the 10000 block of Brownie Drive in North Austin.
Detective Robert Elrod with the San Marcos Police Department coordinated these efforts with the Task Force. During this process, Moraga contacted Detective Elrod directly, who was able to relay information to officers on scene at Brownie Street and arrange for Moraga’s surrender.
On Sept. 7, the father of two young girls, aged 10 and 11, reported to police that at about 9 p.m. a man approached his 11-year-old daughter as they shopped at the Wal-Mart store located at 1015 Hwy 80.
According to the father, the man told the girl that he had free toys for her, and she began following him toward an exit. The 10-year-old followed the man and her sister and shouted to her father that they were going to get free toys.
The father went to see what was happening, and the individual saw the father approach and left quickly.
Moraga is in custody in Austin and awaits transport to the Hays County Jail.
PREVIOUS REPORT:
The San Marcos Police Department has identified the individual captured on video at the San Marcos Walmart on Sept. 7, 2014 accused of attempting to abduct an 11-year-old girl.
An arrest warrant for attempted kidnapping has been issued for Tenencio Moraga III (DOB 01/07/1983). He also goes by the name “Dennis” Moraga.
Moraga is currently homeless, but has family in San Marcos and Austin. He has not been seen since Sept. 11, 2014 after images from the store security system were aired on TV news broadcasts. He has been known to frequent the Southside Community Center in San Marcos.
On Sept. 7, the father of two young girls, aged 10 and 11, reported to police that at about 9 p.m. a man approached his 11-year-old daughter as they shopped at the Wal-Mart store located at 1015 Hwy 80.
According to the father, the man told the girl that he had free toys for her, and she began following him toward an exit. The 10-year-old followed the man and her sister and shouted to her father that they were going to get free toys.
The father went to see what was happening, and the individual saw the father approach and left quickly.
People with information on Moraga’s location may call SMPD at 512.753.2108. Tips can be made online to www.citizenobserver.com or Crime Stoppers of Hays County at www.callcrimestoppers.com.
