By Moses Leos III
Several residents at a Buda-area apartment complex received a rude awakening Aug. 24 when a man allegedly kicked in doors, entered residences and threatened people before being tased and apprehended by authorities.
Karl Daniel Rivas, 33, of Caldwell County, was booked into the Hays County Jail on three counts of burglary of a habitation, a second-degree felony, and two misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass. Rivas was also charged with a Class-A misdemeanor attempted criminal trespass charge, and a misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge.
Hays County Lt. Dennis Gutierrez said authorities were called to the Trails at Buda Ranch Apartments on Robert S. Light Blvd. around 5:02 a.m. Aug. 24 for a burglary in progress call. Gutierrez said authorities received reports of a shirtless man with tattoos who allegedly kicked in “multiple doors.” Gutierrez said the man, later identified as Rivas, had allegedly kicked in five to six doors. According to Gutierrez, authorities learned from residents that Rivas allegedly was threatening residents that he was armed and that he allegedly was going to shoot. Rivas was not found to have a weapon in his possession.
One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said they were shaken awake that morning to the sound of something breaking. The resident said they initially thought their cats had turned over a television in the living room. Upon walking into the room, the resident said they saw a “strange man standing” in their living room. The resident said the man allegedly said “people were after him,” and that he was “flying” and they believed he was “on something.” Gutierrez said it is unknown at this time if Rivas was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The resident said Rivas then threatened to shoot them before he ran out of the apartment. “When he threatened to shoot, I was sure he was going to shoot and kill me,” the resident said. When officers arrived, they found Rivas outside one of the structures in the apartment. Rivas allegedly started running away from deputies.
After a short chase, authorities tased Rivas and placed him under arrest. Rivas was released Aug. 26 on $27,000 bond.
