Sheriff’s Office Arrests Man in $155,000 Cargo Theft Investigation

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSCO) says that 38-year-old Laron Lenard Watts is facing a charge for Theft of Property =$150K<$300K.

According to the Sheriff's Office, on Friday, November 6, 2026, deputies were called out to the 13100 block of Montana Avenue regarding a reported theft involving a shipping container, trailer chassis, and around 43,000 pounds of fiber-optic cable.

Police investigation revealed that the driver had been contracted to transport the shipment from Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Officials say following the cancellation of the shipment, the driver reportedly refused to return the property due to a dispute over his final payment.

EPCSO says the combined value of the property was estimated at $155,000.

Detectives later found the semi-truck, trailer chassis, and shipping container at a property along Montana Avenue and identified the driver as Watts.

The Sheriff's Office says that as a result of the investigation, Watts was arrested and charged with Theft Prop >=$150K<$300K. His bond was set at $10,000.

Detectives also executed a search warrant, recovering the shipping container, trailer chassis, and approximately 43,000 pounds of fiber-optic cable. The semi-truck was also seized as part of the investigation.