Deputy C. Crider responded to the Best Buy located in the 19400 block of the Gulf Freeway in reference to a shoplifting that had just occurred. The suspect vehicle description was given with a partial license plate number and the vehicle was reported traveling north on the Gulf Fwy service road. Deputy Crider checked the area and located a vehicle matching the description given by the caller and conducted a traffic stop for traffic violations. Upon contact, Deputy Crider made contact with the driver, who was identified as 34 year old Tommy Sauseda of Pasadena. The passenger was identified as 35 year old Lilia Ayala of Spring.
Through the investigation, Sauseda admitted to stealing 2 cell phones from the store. Ayala stated she had no idea what was going on and said she just went in the store only to look into getting an iPad for her son. Sgt. M. Ford made contact with the manager at Best Buy, and through watching the store video surveillance cameras, it was learned that Lilia Ayala appeared to distract the employee watching the cell phones as Sauseda entered the store and cut the security wrap off of two Galaxy cell phones and left. Video showed Tommy then entered then entered suspect vehicle.
Through viewing the video, it appears that Sauseda texted or called Ayala and she immediately left the store quickly, entered the suspect vehicle and they left the parking lot.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office was contacted and charges of Felony Theft were accepted on Sauseda due to him having 5 prior theft convictions. The DA’s Office also accepted Misdemeanor Theft on Ayala for her actions in the crime. Both were booked into the Harris County Joint Processing Center without further issue.
