1/11/2024
A local business scammed its customers out of more than $200,000, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrested two men this week and said another suspect is still at large in connection with a food truck scam.
Omar Alexis Emmanuel Cruz, 39, was charged with engaging in organized crime and stealing between $30,000 to $150,000 from customers. Sheriff Javier Salazar alleged Cruz recently scammed a customer out of $36,000.
Miguel Angel Cuellar Lopez, 57, was arrested in December on three counts of theft but was later released on bond, court records show. He has been re-arrested on an additional charge of engaging in organized crime.
Salazar said in a Tuesday news conference that a third person is wanted in connection with the case. He identified the man as Miguel Angel Cuellar Martinez, 32, who is accused of engaging in organized crime and three counts of theft.
The sheriff’s office believes Cuellar Martinez fled to Mexico, but Salazar said getting him back inside the country with help from Mexican authorities is “highly likely.”
Deputies believe the three men lured people in with false promises about building them a custom food truck.
Nearly 30 people came forward when Lopez was first arrested to say they were scammed, but the number rose to over 35 following Cruz’s arrest.
The total amount of money taken by this business is “upwards of $225,000,” but the transactions could reach $300,000 to $400,000, the sheriff said.
“They were targeting mostly immigrants,” Salazar said. He added that the people they targeted were in the food business and looking to expand.
Salazar said the men are accused of taking a down payment or full payment from their customers, refusing to give updates and cutting communication with the buyers. Customers went to the business location to find it was no longer there.
Buyers were located in San Antonio as well as nationwide, and most of them still don’t know that they are being scammed, Salazar said.
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The sheriff said some people haven’t come forward because they believe they still will get the product.
“We have to convince people (that) there is no product. You’re not going to get your product, so your best bet is to follow through on charges.” Salazar said.
The sheriff said business employees should come forward as witnesses before being listed as co-defendants.
“Once we have to come find you, time for explanation is over,” he said.
Cruz was booked Tuesday, and his bail is set at $35,000. Lopez’s bail is set at $20,000.
Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call 210-335-6000 or email BSCOTIPS@Bexar.org
Professor Elam 
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