Suspected Gang Member Arrested in Texas Linked to Women’s Panties Thefts

A man with alleged ties to a violent Venezuelan gang was arrested in Houston following a series of retail thefts, including the theft of women’s underwear worth $3,400.

Suspected Gang Member Arrested in Texas Linked to Multiple Retail Thefts

Jorgenys Robertson Cova, 32, a Venezuelan citizen believed to be in the U.S. illegally, was taken into custody by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) on October 7 for a misdemeanor theft warrant. Authorities suspect Cova is connected to the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, a notorious criminal group based in Venezuela, largely due to tattoos found on his arms.

This gang was recently designated a foreign terrorist organization by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who cited its violent and criminal activities, including murder and kidnapping. "TdA is notorious for their brutal violence and murder and their kidnapping," Abbott said during the announcement.

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Stealing Women's Panties

Cova’s criminal record spans multiple states and includes several retail thefts in Texas. Back in April 2023, Cova and an accomplice allegedly stole 180 pairs of women’s underwear from a Victoria’s Secret store in Houston's Willowbrook Mall. Two weeks later, he reportedly returned to the store with a juvenile and stole additional merchandise.

In another incident in July, Cova was arrested for stealing nearly $4,000 worth of clothing and sunglasses from Saks Fifth Avenue in Houston. Although he was released on a $1,000 bond, he continued to be linked to other thefts, including a case in Pearland.

Records show that two Houston theft cases involving Cova were dropped because he was being held in Arizona on separate charges. On April 28, Arizona police arrested Cova in Gilbert for organized retail theft, though details of that case remain scarce.

Is the Underwear Theft Part of the Gang's Operation?

While it’s unclear if organized retail theft is part of Tren de Aragua’s operations, DPS officials have emphasized that the gang’s primary goal is financial gain. "There is no limit to what those criminal activities are. This is all about profit," DPS Director Steve McCraw said.

Efforts to learn more about Cova’s immigration status and how he entered the U.S. have so far been unsuccessful. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has yet to respond to inquiries.

Authorities are continuing to investigate Cova’s possible ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, as Texas ramps up its efforts to combat the gang’s growing influence.