Deputies: Teens ransacked rural homes in search of guns

Hidalgo County Sheriff's deputies arrested a 14-year-old and 17-year-old in connection to nearly a dozen burglaries in the McCook/Linn area, north of Edinburg.

Monday afternoon 17-year old Julio Zapien was charged with nine counts of burglary.

Investigators connected the two young men to several burglaries over just a few days, stealing an undisclosed number of guns, jewelry, electronics and cash.

During his arraignment, Zapien told the judge he is from Guanajuato, Mexico and has only been in the Rio Grande Valley for about a month and a half.

While he showed little remorse for the accused crime, Zapien became emotional when he was given a $50,000 bond for each of the nine charges.

"There is always a concern for the type of the crime and also for what TMs being stolen, in this case with firearms being stolen, it makes the perpetrators much more dangerous," Hidalgo County Sheriff deputy J.P. Rodriguez said.

Deputies do not believe the two young men acted alone and are still searching for others involved.

Judge Rosa Trevino believes they may have been coerced into working for more experienced criminals.

"To me they are victims like those who cross the drugs across the river, Trevino said.

The two young men are expected to be charged with two more counts of burglary.

The additional charges are expected to be filed later this week.