Police say the alleged weekend-long spree stretched across Central Texas and ended after officers shared details online
NEED TO KNOW
- A Texas man was accused of stealing more than $1,700 worth of brisket from multiple grocery stores
- Police say the alleged thefts span several Central Texas cities over one weekend
- Details of the arrest gained widespread attention after being shared online by authorities
A Texas man was accused of allegedly stealing more than $1,700 worth of brisket from grocery stores across Central Texas during a weekend-long spree. Police said the case drew widespread attention after authorities shared details of the arrest on social media.
Armando Salazar, 51, of Baytown, was arrested on Dec. 6 and charged with theft under $2,500 with two or more previous convictions, according to police. He is currently being held on a $2,500 bond.
Authorities say Salazar allegedly targeted multiple stores over the course of a single weekend. Police report that the thefts include brisket taken from H-E-B and Walmart locations in Buda, along with stores in Manor and Austin.
As officers began connecting the incidents, the case took on an unusual profile. The Buda Police Department later referred to the investigation as the “Brisket Caper” in a Facebook post that quickly spread online.
In the post, police noted that the alleged thefts occurred while the city was hosting seasonal events. “On Saturday, December 6th, while many of us were enjoying Budafest activities, Mr. Salazar decided not to partake in our wonderful food vendors on Main Street and in City Park,” the department wrote…