Wanted Texas Gang Member Captured In Midland After Anonymous Tip

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has captured a wanted, dangerous gang member thanks to an anonymous tip from a concerned citizen. The fugitive was arrested in Midland and has a long history of criminal activity.

Violent Texas Gang Member Arrested

37-year-old Ronnie Matthew Velarde had been featured on Texas' Most Wanted Fugitive list since May 2026. He was wanted for parole violations stemming from burglary and organized criminal activity charges, among others, dating back to as early as 2008.

Other criminal charges in Velarde's history include evading arrest, theft, and the manufacturing/possession of a controlled substance. He has been sentenced to prison several times and was last released on parole in April 2025.

What Is the Tango Gang?

Velarde is also a documented member of the West Texas Tango gang. This is an offshoot of the Puro Tango Blast gang, a violent organization born from within the Texas prison system.

The widely-accepted gang origin story indicates that it was created out of necessity in the early 1990s to protect Hispanic inmates from other organized prison gangs.

Submit Crime Stoppers Tip for Cash Rewards

Because Velarde was captured thanks to an anonymous tip, that citizen will receive the cash reward of up to $5,000.

You can visit DPS' Texas 10 Most Wanted lists to see what fugitives the state is currently searching for as well as the cash reward offered for their arrest. Citizens are invited to provide anonymous tips through the Crime Stoppers website about any information that could lead to an arrest.

In order to be eligible for the cash reward, Texas citizens must submit tips through one of three methods:

• By calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-8477
• By submitting a tip through the Texas 10 Most Wanted website
• By submitting a tip through DPS' Facebook page