Woman Arrested for Snatching Bag Full of Apple Products

LUBBOCK, TX — A woman was arrested after snatching a tote bag and then escaping in a red Volkswagen Beetle.  The stolen items included Apple electronics, luxury handbags, and a firearm valued at approximately $3,500, stated the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office deputies.

Court documents state Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to the 5500 block of 126th Street on March 6 in reference to a theft. The female victim reported that a red Volkswagen convertible Beetle drove up next to her and a woman hopped out and approached her car.

According to the victim, the suspect was a white woman with brownish hair who ran up to her vehicle, opened the passenger-side door and grabbed the tote bag then ran back to her VW and drove off. Inside the victim's bag were several different Apple electronics, luxury clutch bags, and a firearm. The victim told deputies the estimated total value of the stolen items was around $3,500.

Later in the shift, on March 7, deputies spotted a car that matched the description of that convertible Beetle and conducted a traffic stop. Deputies identified the driver and passenger who told them the thief was Santana Nicole Garcia, 36. Court documents stated both individuals confirmed that Santana Garcia matched the description given by the victim. The passenger also mentioned that Garcia was either staying in an apartment in the 200 block of Avenue S or possibly in a white van in that area.

Deputies followed up on the lead and located the white van. However, further information suggested that Garcia lived in a shed with her boyfriend behind a property in the 200 block of Sherman Avenue.

With the property owner’s consent, deputies entered the shed and found Santana Garcia inside. After confirming her identity, she agreed to speak with them and waived her Miranda Rights.

Garcia admitted to stealing the tote bag and showed deputies where it was hidden. She also told deputies that she had thrown several stolen Apple products, including an iPad, MacBook Air, Apple Pencil, and AirPods, out of the vehicle at various locations to avoid tracking.

While searching her belongings, deputies found an unopened Apple Pencil in her purse.

After the search, deputies had probable cause that Garcia stole the tote bag from the victim's vehicle and she was charged with theft and intentionally hindering deputies from recovering the stolen items.

Santana Nicole Garcia was arrested and transported to the Lubbock County Detention Center, where her total bond is $11,000.