By Andy Sevilla
A man who police say attempted to kidnap an 11-year-old girl from a San Marcos Walmart has surrendered to police.
The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force arrested Tenencio Moraga III, 31, just after noon Thursday after the suspect surrendered to authorities in North Austin.
“The quick capture of this individual is the culmination of several key factors — hard work by our personnel, the willingness of multiple citizens to come forward with information after viewing the photographs distributed by the media, and the cooperation of several law enforcement agencies in Central Texas to make his capture a priority,” San Marcos Police Chief Chase Stapp said in a statement.
San Marcos police said that on Sept. 7, a father and his 11- and 10-year-old daughters were shopping at a San Marcos Walmart when a man approached the older girl and offered her free toys.
Police said the 11-year-old was heading toward a store exit with the suspect when the 10-year-old, who was following behind, yelled to their dad informing them that they were headed to get free toys.
The girls’ father went to see what was happening, and that’s when police say Moraga saw the dad approaching and quickly fled the store.
On Sept. 11 police released low-quality images of the suspect captured on store security footage. On Sept. 24, police released the identity of the suspect and asked for the public’s help in locating Moraga.
Officers with the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, acting on leads provided by the public and the Austin Regional Intelligence Center, set up surveillance at a home in the 10000 block of Brownie Drive in North Austin.
San Marcos Police Detective Robert Elrod coordinated surveillance with the Task Force, it was during this process that Moraga contacted Elrod and arranged for his surrender on Brownie Street, according to police.
“It is a perfect example of the kind of teamwork necessary to keep our communities safe,” Chief Stapp said. “We appreciate the efforts of everyone involved.”
Moraga is in custody in Austin and awaiting transportation to the Hays County jail.
