Tip in missing man case leads to investigation
A tip about a man missing since July and believed dead led Bexar County deputies to search a Southeast Side property Tuesday afternoon.
Curtis Perry, 38, last was seen July 29 near the 9400 block of South Foster Road, investigators said.
Sheriff Javier Salazar said investigators received information leading them to a home in the 300 and 400 blocks of Holmgreen Road.
He said he couldn’t divulge the information that led investigators to the property.
Perry, who is from Philadelphia, reportedly visited relatives in Houston and rented a car to meet people in San Antonio in July.
Investigators suspect more than five people were involved in Perry’s disappearance and possible death.
Salazar did not identify the suspects, but said they are “very young.” He said some are incarcerated and others, some of whom are not known, still are at large.
According to the sheriff, Perry possibly was lured to the Foster area to be robbed.
Salazar said investigators believe that around that time, people tied to Perry’s case also were involved in a crime spree in the area and surrounding counties.
On Aug. 5, investigators found security camera footage from a home near Foster that showed Perry running for his life.
At some point, his pursuers caught up to him, investigators said.
“What we believe now is that he was actually caught, taken from that area to another area, killed, and then brought here,” Salazar said, standing in front of the Holmgreen property. “Some evidence associated with him may be here.”
Investigators began searching the home at about noon Tuesday and planned to be there for at least a couple of days.
Excavation equipment was brought to the scene to dig up several parts of the property.
“They’re very methodically digging up areas of the property where we believe he may be, or evidence may be concealed,” Salazar said.
A cadaver dog searched the premises but did not pick up on anything in particular. Salazar said the passage of three months may have made it difficult for the dog to pick up a scent.
Deputies found at least two stolen motorcycles, as well as drugs, handguns and rifles, officials said.
Isabella Ponce, 20, who lives nearby, said she and her family often heard gunshots from the property at night. She and several neighbors said trucks and motorcycles often were speeding to and from the home on Holmgreen at all hours of the day, and that it all started about two months ago.
Nearby Carroll Elementary School was placed under lockdown for a time as deputies executed the warrant.
Holmgreen Road was blocked off as deputies conducted their investigation, which affected traffic.
A reward of as much as $5,000 still is being offered in the case, Salazar said. People may submit tips by calling 210-224-7867.