Teen arrested in Edinburg viral robbery video

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Residents of an Edinburg neighborhood were shocked after a doorbell video of a teen knocking on several doors and taking a child's bike went viral.

The suspect's actions were all captured on a home security camera.

The video posted on social media shows a teenager approaching a home. Then, hiding behind the column to see if somebody opens the door.

“What could have happened, should she have opened the door, right? Um, thankfully, you know, she didn't, she didn't get to hear it," said Alondra Flores, neighbor. "A lot of people, well, they have, you know, kids who go and now who work evenings, who people who work evenings, and they probably think it's their family member, and, you know, they don't think much of it.”

Police said a second video shows the same teen stealing a bike with something tucked into his pants. The videos generated more than eighty thousand views and lead to the teen’s arrest.

“This serves a lesson to everybody that, you know, everybody has cameras, and you know all that will be turned into the police department," Flores said. "You know, it's not something rare anymore. Mostly everybody has cameras”

Edinburg Police Officer Robert Torres said the suspect is a sixteen-year-old, whose case continues to be investigated.

“A crime is a crime regardless of your age," the officer said.

Torres is also glad at the fact that the family did not try to confront the suspect.

“Never engage, avoid direct confrontation or making your presence known and stay inside and keep yourself safe," Torres said. "Secure your home, lock all doors and windows and ensure outdoor lights and security systems are functioning properly. Alert authorities if the person seems to be engaging in something suspicious.”

Torres said he is glad the family shared the video with police and the community. The stolen bike belonged to an 11-year-old boy.

Edinburg PD and Walmart worked together to give him a new bike. Eduardo Zamora, general manager at Wal-Mart store 429, was called by police and involved in the process.

“If you remember being a kid, if you lost a toy or something, getting it back just feels great, so we are happy to help them out and happy that he got a bike back," Zamora said.

Flores says she will be extra vigilant from now on.

“My kids are my highest priority," Flores said. "My neighbors kids are, you know, they're always around here, so we all just look out for each other, and that's the way it's going to be here. And I just think they chose the wrong neighborhood.”

Police said the suspect remains in custody.