Repeat Offender Cuts Ankle Monitor, Goes on $200K Jewelry Crime Spree [WATCH]

A Texas man with an extensive criminal history was arrested again this week after police say he cut off a court-ordered ankle monitor and went on a multi-day crime spree across San Antonio, stealing more than $200,000 worth of jewelry from pawn shops and mall stores.

Michael Allen Loving, 38, was taken into custody Tuesday in connection with a series of robberies and thefts targeting jewelry retailers, according to KSAT-TV, which cited the San Antonio Police Department and newly filed court documents.

Investigators allege that Loving employed a “smash and grab” method during the thefts, entering stores during business hours, breaking display cases, and fleeing with high-value jewelry.

“I would say that it’s brazen that he just walks in, in the middle of the day,” said Camelia Juarez, a San Antonio Police Department public information officer, according to KSAT.

“He will just smash the glass, break it and take off with [the jewelry].”

Arrest affidavits related to Loving’s most recent cases outline multiple incidents in October and early November.

According to those documents, Loving allegedly carried out a smash-and-grab theft at a JCPenney store inside North Star Mall in October, followed by another incident at an EZ Pawn shop located on West Woodlawn Avenue earlier this month.

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Police said Loving stole more than $37,000 worth of gold chains from the JCPenney location.

At the EZ Pawn shop, investigators allege he made off with more than $45,000 in jewelry.

In both incidents, the affidavits state that Loving specifically asked employees to show him what he referred to as “cubans,” a term commonly used for high-value gold Cuban link chains, which are among the most expensive items in jewelry cases.

After employees presented the items, police said Loving smashed the glass display cases, grabbed the jewelry, and ran from the stores.

According to KSAT, police also allege that Loving threatened employees at the EZ Pawn shop with a firearm during the theft.

“After he threatened those two employees at the EZ Pawn, he went to dozens of other jewelry stores,” Juarez told KSAT.

Police said Loving’s alleged crime spree did not stop there. Juarez told the station that investigators believe Loving went on to steal more than $150,000 in jewelry from another business following the EZ Pawn robbery.

Before the jewelry thefts, Loving had already been arrested in connection with a separate smash-and-grab incident at an H-E-B grocery store on South Zarzamora Street.

According to KSAT, police said Loving struck a person with his vehicle while fleeing that scene.

Officers later located the abandoned vehicle and found Loving completely naked nearby, after he had removed all of his clothing, the station reported.

Despite that arrest, Loving was released from the Bexar County Jail with an ankle monitor, according to police.

Authorities said that just days after his release, Loving cut off the monitoring device and began the string of robberies and thefts that led to his latest arrest.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Wednesday morning to Blaze News that Loving is currently back in custody.

Court records show that Loving has been arrested 37 times prior to his most recent charges, according to law enforcement sources cited by KSAT.

Investigators believe the full scope of his alleged criminal activity may not yet be known.

Juarez said detectives suspect Loving may have targeted additional business owners who have not yet come forward or reported losses.

Police are asking any potential victims or business owners who believe they may have been affected to contact the San Antonio Police Department’s Property Crimes Division at 210-207-8326.