12/1/2014
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The Santa Rosa Police Department has been temporarily closed while authorities execute a search warrant inside.
The Texas Rangers and the Cameron County District Attorney's Office both raided the police department around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Investigators are remaining tight-lipped at this time but confirmed they are executing an "evidenciary search warrant" inside.
Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz told Action 4 News that he could only issue limited comments due to an ongoing investigation.
Saenz said the investigation involves "issues that came to light" following the firing of Santa Rosa Police Chief Xavier Martinez last month.
Action 4 News was the first to feature the city's financial woes in a story about the Chief Martinez's job being eliminated
Saenz said he could not elaborate about the raid but noted that the allegations also involve missing evidence and files.
Acting Santa Rosa City Manager Jared Hockema told Action 4 News released a statement saying that although the raid is unfortunate, it is part of the process of city’s recovery from its recent hardship.
People coming to the building for a 4 p.m. session at the Santa Rosa Municipal Court were being turned away and told their hearings would take place on Thursday.
The building is expected to be closed until Thursday morning.
One person coming to use the police department's fax machine said she was not surprised by the investigation.
The Santa Rosa woman said many in the town believe that public officials have embezzled city funds.
City of Santa Rosa Statement:
SANTA ROSA, Texas – The City of Santa Rosa today released the following statement regarding law enforcement activity at its city facilities:
“Earlier today, the City of Santa Rosa was served with a search warrant for records pertaining to the police department. The city is cooperating with this investigation.
As this is an active investigation, the city cannot have comment on the subject of the investigation at this time.
Although today’s events are unfortunate, they are also part of the process of city’s recovery from its recent hardship. The city looks forward to serving the citizens in the future in the manner they expect.
City operations are continuing as normal, and City Hall will be open as usual tomorrow. Defendants in municipal court scheduled to appear today should return December 3rd at 4:00 pm.”
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