Police: Men used credit cards for gas, cigarettes

Three Brownsville men were arrested on suspicion of breaking into a vehicle, taking credit cards and using them to purchase gas and cigarettes, according to a police report.
On Friday night, Leopoldo Gomez, 26, Archie McCaskill, 33, and Alfredo Bermudez, 19, were driving a Dodge Caravan belonging to McCaskill's mother, the report stated.
The suspects came across an unlocked 1992 Geo Tracker at the 100 block of Villa Franca Street, the report stated. Inside the vehicle were various high-priced items, including jewelry, clothing and a purse containing credit cards, the owner's social security card and birth certificate.
Police said the suspects opened the passenger's side door and removed the items. Later on that night, the suspects used one of the credit cards at a convenience store in 14th Street, police said.
All three suspects were charged with burglary of a motor vehicle, credit card abuse and engaging in organized criminal activity, according to police.

Police arrest two on burglary charge

Brownsville Police arrested two Brownsville men as they attempted to flee the scene after burglarizing a vehicle, according to a police report.
Serafin Yado, 28, and Jose Ramirez, 22, were arrested for burglary of a vehicle and possession of criminal instruments, according to police.
Early Saturday, officers responded to a burglary in progress on the 1200 block of Pluton Street. A few moments later, officers pulled over a 2000 dark-colored Ford Focus at intersection of Calle Pluton and Military Highway, according to police.
Inside the vehicle, officers found a brown organizer with information documents belonging to the victim and some screwdrivers allegedly used to force open vehicles, the police report stated.
Upon questioning, the suspects claimed to have no idea how the organizer and various screwdrivers got into the backseat. Their bond was set at $3,000, and they were transported to Cameron County Jail.

Police briefs are compiled by Brownsville Herald crime reporter Ildefonso Ortiz.