Darren Almendarez murder: Senate Bill 224, which toughens penalties for catalytic converter thieves, heads to Texas Senate

Harris County, Texas (KTRK) – The widow of a Harris County deputy who was killed while confronting suspected catalytic converter thieves last year has given powerful testimony before senators pushing Senate Bill 224, also known as the Darren Almendariz Vice Act.

“But I shouldn’t live in fear, because I’m not going to give up. I’m not,” said Flor Zarzoza Almendarez. “My husband gave up his life for me, not just me, for society.”

The bill, named after her late husband, adds a specific theft offense to the criminal code for catalytic converter theft. It also creates an aggravating penalty for those who possess a firearm during the crime.

Nearly a year ago, Almendarez was killed while confronting suspected thieves who were reportedly on their way to steal a catalytic converter from his personal truck outside a grocery store.

Original report: Off-duty deputy dies after being shot while trying to stop a robbery in northern Harris County

During her testimony, Zarzoza Almendariz described the moment she and her husband left the store, her life changed forever.

All I remember him saying was, ‘Wait, baby. Just wait here.” A few feet away from me. The next thing I hear? Running,” Zarzoza Almendarez recalls. “This whole time, we were just looking at each other. I was looking at him. And just that picture of you turning around, hearing the gunshots … But I didn’t think he got shot because he was a very brave man.”

SEE ALSO: What we know about the killing of HCSO Deputy Darren Almendariz in N. Harris County

[I] I turn around all I hear is “Call 911”. [He’s] Walking around, he’s just walking around.”

“I see my husband, he comes up to me, we hug,” the widow recalls. “But I know, when we clung to each other, he just told me he couldn’t breathe and that he loved me. We kissed, and that was his last breath.”

Three people have been arrested and charged with Almendarez’s murder. Their cases are currently running through the legal system.

Read more: 6 people arrested for their role in a major catalytic converter theft ring linked to the death of an HCSO deputy

Investigators said they were part of a larger catalytic converter theft ring.

Zarzoza Almendarez told the Senate committee that she attends every hearing because she does not compromise on getting justice for her husband.

The bill was thrown out of committee on Tuesday and now heads to the Senate floor for a vote in its entirety.

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https://abc13.com/deputy-daren-almendarez-act-senate-bill-224-charges-for-catalytic-converter-thieves-harris-county-theft/12990508/

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