San Benito police captain arrested
HARLINGEN - Harlingen Police arrested San Benito Police Capt. Clarence Ebarb after a disturbance early Saturday, jail records show.
Police arrested Ebarb at about 3:20 a.m. Saturday after a disturbance at the Palm Terrace Apartments, 1501 Sam Houston St., after the disturbance was reported, jail records show.
It was unclear who reported the disturbance.
San Benito officials refused to disclose Ebarb's name although arrests are public record under the Freedom of Information Act.
"I don't discuss personnel issues with the media," acting San Benito Police Chief George Gomez said.
Gomez referred questions to the Harlingen Police Department for information on the arrest.
City Manager Manuel Lara said he understood that arrests were public record but refused to disclose the officer's name because he did not have details of the case.
"We need to find out more details," Lara said. "I need to see what can be released legally."
San Benito Mayor Joe Hernandez said he planned to meet with Gomez, Lara and City Attorney Jan Cassidy this morning before issuing a press release.
Without identifying the officer, Hernandez said that he believed the charge was "domestic violence."
Cassidy could not be reached for comment Monday evening.
Attorney Joel White, a lawyer with the Texas Freedom of Information Foundation, said the law requires officials to release arrest information.
"The names of people who are arrested are public record, not only for the public but also for the person arrested. We don't have private arrests in this country. They have to release that information," White said.
