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Several people arrested in shoplifting operation near Austin mall

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Several people arrested in shoplifting operation near Austin mall


AUSTIN, Texas (KWTX) – Several people were arrested in separate incidents during a shoplifting operation near the Austin mall.

In the first incident, police say officers were informed that four people inside the Khol’s at 11111 Lakeline Blvd. were putting items in a baby stroller in an attempt to steal them.

Police say officers arrived on scene as the suspects were leaving the store with the stolen items.

The suspects, according to police, attempted to run away while leaving the stroller of stolen items behind, but were arrested shortly after.

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Officers recovered $1,100 in merchandise from the stroller and an additional $1,200 in stole merchandise from two other stores in the suspect’s vehicle.

(Austin Police)

Melain Gomez, 20, Alexis Garza, 25, Jessica Gomez, 23, and Jesus Jimenez-Gomez, 22, were each charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and taken to the Williamson County Jail.

Melain Gomez (top left), Alexis Garza (top right), Jessica Gomez (bottom left) and Jesus...
Melain Gomez (top left), Alexis Garza (top right), Jessica Gomez (bottom left) and Jesus Jimenez-Gomez (bottom right)(Austin Police)

In the second incident, police say officers received information that a high value repeat offender, identified as Javier Rios, was inside the Lowe’s at 13201 North FM 620.

Police say officers arrived on scene as Rios, 41, left the store with a stolen AC unit valued at $2,156.

Rios was subsequently arrested for theft and two outstanding warrants charging larceny, according to police.

Additionally, police say officers found a shower kit in Rios’ vehicle valued at $609 that was stolen from a separate Lowe’s on the same day.

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Javier Rios, 41.
Javier Rios, 41.(Austin Police)

In the third incident, police say officers were sent the Target at 10900 Lakeline Mall Drive on reports of a known theft suspect who was taking anti-theft devices off electronics in the store.

Police say the suspect, identified as Donovan Clausen, left the store with multiple stolen items and employees attempted to stop him.

Clausen fled the scene on foot but was later arrested by police near a vehicle where he met a woman, according to police.

Officers, according to police, recovered $613.70 in stolen items.

Additionally, police say officers found more stolen items and narcotics inside the vehicle.

The additional stolen items were determined to be jewelry and beauty items taken from Target and Khol’s valued at $1,050.

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Clausen is charged with theft and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

The woman, identified as 44-year-old Christina Shell, was arrested and charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Christina Shell, 44, (left) and Donnovan Clausen, 23 (right).
Christina Shell, 44, (left) and Donnovan Clausen, 23 (right).(Austin Police)

In the final incident, police say employees at the Target at 10900 Lakeline Mall Drive reported a known high value repeat offender, identified as Martin Morales, was loading a shopping cart with items inside the store.

Morales, 54, according to police, pushed the cart outside and was confronted by an employee.

After this, police say Morales left the shopping cart and entered a vehicle in the parking lot.

The vehicle left the area as officers arrived on scene, but police say officers later found and stopped the vehicle.

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Morales was subsequently arrested for theft and the driver of the vehicle, identified as 44-year-old Crystal Overby, was arrested on an active warrant.

Crystal Overby, 44, (left) and Martin Morales, 54 (right).
Crystal Overby, 44, (left) and Martin Morales, 54 (right).(Austin Police)

In total, police say they recovered $7,500 in stolen items from the incidents.



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Austin, TX

Texas Plans Second Execution of the Year

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Texas Plans Second Execution of the Year


Cedric Ricks spoke in his own defense at his 2013 murder trial, something most defendants accused of a terrible crime do not do. Ricks confessed that he had killed his girlfriend, Roxann Sanchez, and her 8-year-old son. He admitted he was aggressive and had trouble controlling his anger, stating that he was “sorry about everything.” […]



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Austin, TX

Will the rest of Austin allergies seasons be as bad as cedar this year?

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Will the rest of Austin allergies seasons be as bad as cedar this year?


Austin had a particularly itchy and drippy cedar fever season to start the year. Many winter days, from late December into February, had high or very high ashe juniper (aka cedar) pollen counts. 

Central Texas has a year-round allergy season with mold popping up at any time. For the more traditional spring and fall allergy seasons, forecasters at AccuWeather are predicting some of the allergens across the country will be worse this year than average. 

Texas, though, is a different story.

For grass allergies, which happen now through September, AccuWeather estimates Austin will have an average season. However, just west of the Interstate 35 corridor in the Hill Country to almost El Paso, that season is expected to be worse than normal. 

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“Texas may experience above-average grass pollen for a few weeks,” AccuWeather’s allergy report said, “though the season could be shorter-lived compared to northern areas.” 

It all depends on the weather

How much rain we get in the next six months and the perennial Texas heat will all affect the growing season for grasses and weeds, as well as the amount of pollen trees produce. The Farmers’ Almanac and the Old Farmers Almanac are both predicting a wetter and warmer spring.

Rain helps plants grow, which can increase pollen production over time. However, rainfall during allergy season can also bring temporary relief by washing pollen out of the air. That’s what we’re expecting this weekend, with our first meaningful rain chance in nearly three weeks. Tree and weed pollen levels might briefly drop, but mold could spike because it thrives in damp, humid weather. 

If spring continues with excessive heat like we saw in February, it could limit the growth of some plants and trees. Extreme heat can reduce how much they grow, and how much pollen they produce. On the other hand, if we get a healthy balance of rain and only slightly above-normal temperatures — not extreme heat — pollen counts could climb. That’s especially true as we head into April, typically our windiest month of the year, which helps spread pollen more easily.

How can you treat allergies in Austin?

If you are feeling the effects of allergies, here are some things you can do to lessen them: 

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  • Start taking allergy medication at least two weeks before your allergen’s season is supposed to start. Keep taking your allergy medication throughout your allergen’s season, even on low-pollen days.
  • Vary your allergy medication. You can take a nasal spray, an eye drop and an oral antihistamine at the same time to treat the different symptoms. If one kind of allergy medication isn’t working, consult your doctor about whether you should add a second one or switch out the medication. 
  • Take a shower before going to bed.
  • Take off outside clothes or shoes when you get into the house.
  • Do a daily nasal wash such as a neti pot or saline spray.
  • Consider seeing an allergist to get drops or shots to lessen your reaction to the allergen. 

Consider these household tips to improve your chances of keeping allergens away:

  • Change the filters in your house regularly during cedar fever season.
  • Vacuum and sweep regularly. 
  • Change your sheets, especially your pillow regularly. 
  • Keep doors and windows closed.
  • Clean out the vents in your home.
  • Have your home tested for indoor allergens such as mold.
  • Wash and brush the animals in your house to lessen the amount of allergens in the air. 
  • Wear a mask outside or inside while you are trying to lessen the pollen or mold indoors.



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Austin, TX

Texas Primary: Breakdown of Texas races

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Texas Primary: Breakdown of Texas races


Democrats tried to stop a mid-decade redistricting effort, but were unsuccessful. Now, we are starting to see some of the candidates emerging in those newly drawn districts. FOX 7 Austin’s Rudy Koski gives a full breakdown.



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