A Batesville man has been arrested and faces a felony theft charge after police reviewed surveillance footage they say implicated him in the theft of a vehicle from Main Street. The suspect, identified as Angelo Jacinto Cruz, 30, is also being charged as a habitual offender due to multiple prior felony convictions, according to court records.
Batesville Police Sgt. Melissa Wilkey began the investigation on July 28 when responding to a report of a stolen white 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee, valued at over $25,000, from a parking spot outside M&P Bank at 555 E. Main Street. The vehicle’s owner reported it missing sometime between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. that day. The Jeep was later located in a lot near 623 Water Street.
Earlier that same day, police took a report of another stolen vehicle from the 1000 block of Water Street. That vehicle was also recovered in the same area as the Jeep. Detectives reviewing surveillance footage from a nearby business observed a man in dark clothing with a backpack exiting one of the vehicles and walking toward Main Street. Officers located a man matching that description nearby, identifying him as Cruz.
Additional evidence was obtained on July 30, when Batesville Investigator Kyle Williford reviewed surveillance footage from Batesville City Hall. According to court documents, the footage shows a man approaching the Jeep at approximately 12:18 p.m. on July 28, entering it, and driving away. Around 10 minutes later, the same man is seen returning to Main Street and attempting to open the door of another parked vehicle. Sgt. Larry Ring and Patrolmen Sam Stone and Jeffrey Tate reviewed the footage and, along with prior observations, identified the man as Cruz.
Cruz was taken into custody on July 31 and is being held on a $200,000 bond. He is charged with one count of theft of property, a Class B felony. If convicted, the habitual offender status tied to his case could result in an enhanced sentence. His initial court appearance is scheduled for August 4.
The Batesville Police Department has not released additional information regarding the case, which remains under investigation.