A deputy constable who spotted three men allegedly puffing on a marijuana cigarette on a South Padre Island beach help authorities catch a man wanted for cattle rustling.
It all happened between Beach Access 5 and 6 on South Padre Island on Sunday.
Cameron County Precinct 1 deputy constables arrested 23-year-old Esequiel Miranda for an outstanding cattle theft warrant out of Montague County, Texas.
Constable Horacio Zamora told Action 4 News that one of deputies was patrolling the beach when he spotted Miranda and two others smoking a marijuana cigarette.
The deputy constable went in to investigate and found a blunt cigarette with marijuana at the scene.
Constable Zamora said a background check revealed that Miranda and the two others were all wanted for outstanding warrants.
One man was wanted for possession of a controlled substance while the other was wanted in an assault case.
Montague County District Attorney Jack McGaughey told Action 4 News that Miranda is the second of three suspects arrested for the May 2010 theft of nine head of cattle.
McGaughey said investigators learned that cattle were sold at an auction. Miranda, Jimmy Holley and a third man were all indicted in the case back in October 2010.
Exact figures were not immediately available but McGaughey said cattle rustling cases are not common.
The third-degree felony charge is punishable from two to 10 years in prison and/or a $10,000 dollar fine.
Miranda remains in custody at the Cameron County Jail under a $30,000 dollar bond but now faces extradition to Montague County, which is located north of Fort Worth.
Court records show that Miranda has a previous conviction for marijuana. His last known was at home across the street from the Harlingen Police Department.
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