3 suspects stole from smoke shop before leading officer on chase, crashing on Broadway, police say

The suspects ran off after crashing on Broadway near Funston

SAN ANTONIO – Three men stole boxes of vape pens from a smoke shop before leading a San Antonio police officer on a chase and crashing on Broadway on Friday morning, police said.

San Antonio police said the incident happened before 5:30 a.m., when an officer responded to a ringing burglar alarm at the Five Star Smoke Shop in the 3500 block of Broadway, near Mahncke Park.

As he approached the store, he saw three males coming out of the business with boxes that contained vape pens.

The suspects jumped into a Kia Soul, initiating a police chase. They drove into the San Antonio Botanical Garden parking lot, which only had one entry and exit, police said.

The officer waited for the suspects to return, and the Soul drove directly at him as they exited.

They then sped off and wrecked out on Broadway near Funston, the street that leads to the Botanical Garden.

Three men stole from the Five Star Smoke Shop in the 3500 block of Broadway and led police on a chase before they crashed on Friday, March 24, 2023. (KSAT)

The suspects exited the car and ran off. Police are searching the area.

Outside the smoke shop, photos show boxes and vape pens scattered in the parking lot.

This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.

Three men stole from the Five Star Smoke Shop in the 3500 block of Broadway and led police on a chase before they crashed on Friday, March 24, 2023. (KSAT)
Three men stole from the Five Star Smoke Shop in the 3500 block of Broadway and led police on a chase before they crashed on Friday, March 24, 2023. (KSAT)
Three men stole from the Five Star Smoke Shop in the 3500 block of Broadway and led police on a chase before they crashed on Friday, March 24, 2023. (KSAT)

About the Authors:

Rebecca Salinas is an award-winning digital journalist who joined KSAT in 2019. She reports on a variety of topics for KSAT 12 News.

Katrina Webber joined KSAT 12 in December 2009. She reports for Good Morning San Antonio. Katrina was born and raised in Queens, NY, but after living in Gulf Coast states for the past decade, she feels right at home in Texas. It's not unusual to find her singing karaoke or leading a song with her church choir when she's not on-air.