FRIENDSWOOD, Texas – A mother and her teenage children were facing charges Wednesday after police say they stole $700 worth of food, alcohol and toys from a Friendswood H-E-B.
Police said 42-year-old Joyce Espinosa, of Webster, entered the H-E-B at 701 Parkwood around 5:30 p.m. on August 17, accompanied by her 17-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter.
Store employees said they spotted the three taking items, so they notified an off-duty Waller County deputy who was on the property.
The deputy identified himself to the suspects in the parking lot and tried to stop them, but he said they fled the scene in a tan Chevy.
The deputy gave chase and called Friendswood police.
The deputy said, at one point, the suspects were traveling in excess of 70 mph in a bid to elude him on FM 528.
Friendswood police caught up with the suspects’ vehicle minutes later.
Officers said they spotted numerous grocery items in plain view inside the vehicle.
Joyce Espinosa was arrested and charged with felony theft. Her son and daughter were both charged with misdemeanor theft.
Espinosa and her son were being held at the Friendswood Municipal Jail Wednesday, pending transfer to the Galveston County Jail.
Bond for the son was set at $1,500. Police said Espinosa’s bond was set at $60,000, due to a criminal history that includes robbery, auto theft and narcotics convictions.
Espinosa’s daughter was turned over to Galveston County juvenile authorities.
