Suspects Named in April 21 Burglary, Chase

TYLER � The Smith County Sheriff�s Office has identified the suspects in a burglary and chase which involved a young child in the getaway vehicle. Shortly before 9:45am on April 21, the Sheriff�s Office received a 911 call of a burglary of a habitation in progress in the 11000 block of Sycamore Street in western Smith County. While patrol deputies were en route, the homeowner returned home to find the suspects leaving her residence, according to officials. Authorities say the suspects fled in a black pickup truck and were pursued by the deputies.

According to law enforcement, when the pickup truck stopped in the 12000 block of Highway 64W, one of the passengers, identified as Steven Silva, fled on foot into a nearby wooded area. Officials say a second deputy chased Silva on foot and apprehended him. The first deputy stayed with the vehicle apprehending the remaining two suspects, identified as Natalie Willars and Johnathon Ballesteros. A 4-year-old passenger, identified as a relative of Willars, was released to his mother. Numerous additional Sheriff�s Office personnel responded to assist. Items taken from the residence were recovered from the fleeing vehicle, according to law officers.

All three suspects are currently in jail. Natalie Willars, 24, and Johnathon Ballesteros, 22, have been charged with burglary of habitation and are each being held on a $35,000 bond. Ballesteros was arrested previously, in February, for criminal trespassing by the Tyler Police Department. Steven Silva, 22, has been charged with burglary of habitation and evading arrest and is being held on a $40,000 bond. Silva served time in 2009 for burglary of habitation and again in 2012 for theft, parole violation and evading arrest.