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Records: Edinburg assistant principal admits to stealing $400 worth of comic books from McAllen store

2 years 11 months 1 week ago Wednesday, April 21 2021 Apr 21, 2021 April 21, 2021 5:29 PM April 21, 2021 in News - Local
By: KRGV Digital Team
Photo Credit: Hidalgo County Jail Records

An assistant principal at Edinburg High School was identified as the culprit accused of stealing more than $400 in comic books from a McAllen store, according to the criminal complaint against him. 

Juan Martinez Jr. was arrested Friday after he admitted to stealing several comic books from Kaboom Comics in McAllen, the complaint stated. 

Police were called to the store on April 14 after a store employee noticed issue No. 252 of The Amazing Spider-Man, valued at $300, was missing from its location near the register.

Surveillance footage from the store showed a man dressed in black select the comic and hide it in his jacket, along with seven other comics, before leaving the store with $401.93 worth of unpaid comics, the complaint stated. 

The surveillance footage was posted on the store’s Facebook page as they asked for help in identifying the suspect. Someone who viewed the footage on Facebook contacted police and said she recognized the suspect.

“She recognized the male suspect as Edinburg High School Assistant Principal Juan Martinez Jr.,” the complaint stated. “Juan met [with the McAllen Police Department] and after waiving his Miranda Warnings, admitted to the theft and the comics were recovered.”

Jail records show Martinez was booked into Hidalgo County jail on April 16 on a theft of property charge. He was released the same day on a $5,000 bond.

Records don't list an attorney for Martinez, who couldn't be reached for comment. 

Edinburg CISD said in a statement the district does not comment on personnel matters. 

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