Suspect accused of stealing cars from Boerne car dealership sentenced to four years

A suspect accused of stealing at least two Corvettes has been sentenced to four years behind bars.  Jose Israel Barrera Jr., 36, of San Antonio, has been sentenced to four years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after accepting a plea agreement on two counts of theft of a motor vehicle and unlawful carrying of a weapon.  Barrera was also ordered to pay $32,577.04 in restitution, including $10,077.04 to Mark Motors and $22,500 to Jaguar of Boerne.

According to the Kendall County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, the case began on Sept. 27, 2024 when Boerne Police responded to reports of suspicious activity at Mark Motors.  A video monitoring company had observed a subject pushing a vehicle across a field and alerted police.

Boerne Police located a truck and car hauler trailer on Scenic Loop Road, driven by Barrera, who claimed he was transporting a Corvette from Midland.  Authorities found a gray 2009 Chevrolet Corvette inside the trailer, valued at $89,000, with a shattered window and wet grass on the bumper.  The trailer’s license plate did not match its description, and its VIN was obscured with fresh paint.  It was confirmed stolen from Waco, Texas, and the Corvette was verified as stolen from Mark Motors.

Initially, Barerra resisted arrest and fled on foot but was apprehended.  In a follow-up interview, Bareera admitted to a prior theft of a 2011 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 from Jaguar of Boerne, using pink paintballs to disable security cameras and an ATV to move the vehicle.