LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - A man is wanted by the Laredo Police Department for allegedly stealing a pickup truck on April 2.

Police are looking for 34-year-old Roberto Alejandro Duarte who is accused of stealing a white 2018 Dodge RAM 3500 from a business at the 1800 block of Gates Street.

The victim said he reviewed security cameras and saw an unknown man near the truck, opening the door, and then driving off. Officer Jose Espinoza said, ”Investigators were reviewing the surveillance video of the business and they were able to identify Duarte. He spent some minutes around the area. He has a criminal history.”

Duarte is facing a bond of $15,000. If anyone has any information on his whereabouts, you’re asked to call the Laredo Crime Stoppers at 727-TIPS or download the Crime Stoppers app to submit a tip and be eligible for a cash reward.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - The Laredo Police Department’s Acting Chief is speaking out about his decision to indefinitely suspended three officers connected to an ongoing criminal investigation for alleged voter fraud in the race for district two.

After many voiced their support for the acting chief’s decision, Landin is making it clear and states that his decision is not based on the outside opinion, but the facts presented to him.

On Wednesday, KGNS reached out to several City of Laredo Councilmembers to get their thoughts on the chief’s decision.

Five responded including Laredo Mayor Dr. Trevino; one of those was District Two Councilmember Daisy Campos Rodriguez.

In a statement, she stated the chief’s decision was, “Motivated by bad faith”.

On Thursday, Chief Landin said, “Outside noise did not influence his thought process in the decision.”

“The political motivation is outside the police department. I’m shielding that department of that politics. In essence they cannot influence me one way or another or anybody as to how I make a decision,” said Chief Landin. “Again, it’s my signature on the document, not theirs. Ultimately anybody who is on either side of the equation would want it to go their way. But this isn’t about me or them. This department, and I put it in my statement yesterday, is 100 percent neutral. That race, the chief, me, I’m 100 percent neutral.”

A fourth officer retired in connection to the case, the four officers involved are among those 15 who allegedly voted illegally.

Some of the other people who allegedly voted illegally are also city employees for other departments.

LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - The former Border Patrol agent accused of killing a woman and her one-year-old child appeared for a second day of hearing.

The state and the defense of Ronald Anthony Burgos-Aviles went over the wording and possible evidence that could be admitted during the trial, especially pertaining to the state’s mental health expert.

During Tuesday’s hearing, the possibility of a psychiatric examination was also discussed with the state proposing a doctor from San Antonio to conduct it; a proposal that was questioned by Burgo’s defense.

They want to know the doctor that will be performing the examination.

Also, questions about the recording of Burgos inside the Webb County Jail were addressed at the hearing.

Burgos accused of the death of Griselda Hernandez and her baby Dominic.

Jury selection is set for May with the trial set to take place in June 2023

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - The clock is ticking for those who have not finished their federal tax return or even started, you only have one more day to file.

The federal tax deadline is Tuesday, April 18 at midnight.

Of course, there are several ways to file your taxes, but the Laredo Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program or VITA has physical sites around town where trained volunteers help qualifying taxpayers with their returns for free.

If you would like more information or want to book an appointment, you can go to their website or call 956-307-8138.

“You can request an extension if you’re not going to do it tomorrow. That way you won’t be penalized. They won’t charge you any penalties if you submit an extension,” said Patricia Hernandez with VITA.

The government also has a little-known federal tax prep service that’s actually free, it’s called IRS free file.

Just go to www.IRS.gov and type in “Free file” on the search box.

The deadline to file is Tuesday at midnight.

ENCINAL, Tx. (KGNS) - The Texas Department of Public Safety foiled an alleged human smuggling attempt that escalated into a high-speed chase.

The incident happened on Friday after authorities attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Chevy Impala.

The driver refused and sped up resulting in a chase on I-35.

Authorites used a spike strip to stop the car rendering the vehicle useless.

Several people got out of the car and attempted to flee on foot.

Four people were caught along with the driver, a 31-year-old man out of Waco.

He was arrested and charged with evading arrest and human smuggling.