(Seguin) — The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office has brought a months-long, multi-agency investigation into an organized grain-theft operation to a major breakthrough. And that’s all after a single report in Guadalupe County ultimatly grew into a statewide case.
The initial investigation began on March 11, 2026, after a reported grain theft on Barbarossa Road. From that local complaint, officials say Guadalupe County investigators developed witness statements and evidence identifying an alleged network which stole semi-trailer loads of grain from public grain bins across Texas.
All in all, investigators have identified about 176 stolen loads totaling over 9 million pounds of various grains, with an estimated value of $791,739.
Investigators say these thefts were not confined to Guadalupe County. They say Guadalupe County was just one of several areas across the state that was targeted.
However, it was the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office who orginally opened the case, “kept the investigation going, obtained the warrants, and coordinated the work across agencies and counties.”
Assisting agencies include the Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, the Frio County Sheriff’s Office, and the Taylor Police Department.
Arrests to date include:
Pablo Franco Jr., 46 years old, arrested in Atascosa County
Ricky Regalado, 52 years old, arrested in Smiley
Larry Regalado, 57 years old, arrested in New Braunfels
Officials say each of these suspects is charged in Guadalupe County with theft of property valued at more than $300,000; engaging in organized criminal activity and stealing of grain or receiving stolen grain.
Guadalupe County Sheriff Joshua Ray says the case shows what coordinated work can produce from one local report.
“This started with one complaint in Guadalupe County,” said Ray. “Our investigators stayed with it, built the case and brought in partners across Texas. That took months of work, travel, evidence collection and coordination. Guadalupe County is growing in manufacturing, commercial development and new neighborhoods. Agriculture — especially farming and ranching — is still a foundational industry here. It is part of this county’s heritage and identity. We recognize that, and we will relentlessly pursue criminal activity that threatens our farmers and ranchers.”
Anyone who believes they lost grain, or who has information about others involved, is asked to contact the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office at 830-379-1224. They may also contact the Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers. Tips may be submitted by calling 1-877-403-8477, online at guadalupecountycrimestoppers.org, or through the P3 Tips app. All tips can be submitted anonymously and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Officials say the investigation remains open with additional arrests pending.