Groves police say burglary suspects were “jamming” police radios.

BEAUMONT, Texas – Police say a group of burglary suspects used a device to jam police radios during a break-in at a home in Groves on Wednesday.

Groves officers were dispatched to a home in the 3700 block of Debbie St. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, where police were told four or five masked men were attempting to break into a home, according to a news release.

According to the officials, their radio communications were disrupted during the operation.

After officers discovered the home had been broken into, they spotted two of the suspects in a nearby field and arrested them after a short foot chase.

Officers searched the suspects and found a radio “jamming device” in a backpack that they believe was used in the break-in, the release said.

A third suspect was arrested after police said he was driving a vehicle that approached slowly and nearly struck several officers as they crossed 39th Street looking for suspects.

After stopping and speaking with the driver, they believed he was “connected” to the other two suspects and was involved in the burglary, the release said.

Pedro Henry, 30, Jonathan Zuniga-Bravo, 39, and Jaider Quinones-Riascos, 32, were all arrested and charged with burglary of a habitation, a second-degree felony and several other charges, according to jail records.

Here’s a breakdown of all the charges and bail amounts…

• Pedro Henry, total bond: $235,000
  • Participation in organized crime, first-degree felony: $75,000
  • Burglary of a dwelling, second-degree felony: $30,000
  • Participation in organized crime, first-degree felony: $100,000
  • Interfering with Radio Frequency Interference/Interf Response, State Jail Felony: $10,000
  • Unlawful use of an instrument of crime, third-degree felony: $20,000
• Jaider Quinones-Riascos, total bond: $80,000
  • Participation in organized crime, first-degree felony: $50,000
  • Burglary of a dwelling, second-degree felony: $30,000
• Jonathan Zuniga-Bravo, total bond: $100,000
  • Burglary of a dwelling, second-degree felony: $75,000
  • Interfering with Radio Frequency Interference/Interf Response, State Jail Felony: $10,000
  • Unlawful use of an instrument of crime, third-degree felony: $15,000

According to the FCC website, jamming radio signals is a violation of federal law.

“Federal law prohibits the operation, marketing, or sale of any type of jamming device that interferes with authorized radio communications, including cellular and personal communication services (PCS), police radar, and global positioning systems (GPS),” according to the FCC.

It is not yet known whether any of the men will face federal charges for using the “jamming device.”

Groves officers received assistance from deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit and drone support from the Port Neches Fire Department and Port Arthur Police Department, as well as officers from the Port Neches Police Department and the Port Arthur Crime Scene Unit.

This is a developing story. We will release more information when we receive further confirmed information.

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