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Local fugitive found in Mexico
By Jamie Nash
June 12, 2009
4:30 a.m.
CONROE- One of the county’s most notorious fugitives is back in the Montgomery County Jail after he was arrested by Mexican authorities and released to US law enforcement.
The Texas Rangers intervened on behalf of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and negotiated the transfer of 34-year-old William David Townsend, Jr. from Mexico to the U.S., according to Captain Bruce Zenor of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
In May, 2007, a long-term investigation by the MCSO Special Investigations Unit led to Townsend’s arrest. At the time, the SIU suspected Townsend was involved in a multi-state drug-trafficking operation, a murder and illegal dog and rooster fighting. The Willis resident was arrested while allegedly purchasing 5 kilograms of cocaine in South Montgomery County.
Townsend was charged with aggravated possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), which is an unusual charge that applies only to drugs weighing over 400 grams; second-degree felony illegal investment; state jail felony money laundering; two counts of first-degree felony delivery of a controlled substance and second-degree felony delivery of a controlled substance.
Tabitha Townsend, William’s wife, was subsequently arrested at their residence where SIU Lt. Philip Cash said the couple and several other suspects were trafficking large quantities of prescription pills and large amounts of cocaine. Liberty County law enforcement had also investigated William Townsend’s possible involvement in the death of Thomas Weigner, Jr., a man well-known in the criminal world of dog fighting. Weigner was murdered during a 2006 home invasion, when he was tied up and shot in the leg then allowed to bleed to death. At the time, authorities were investigating a possible link between Townsend, Weigner, and former NFL star Michael Vick.
When arrested by the SIU, Townsend was in possession of $78,000 in cash and over $4,000 more was found in his home, where investigators also seized 12 firearms, surveillance equipment, illegal and prescription drugs including methamphetamine and Xanax. Several of the guns were loaded and easily accessible. One had a high powered scope. ATF agents were called to the scene to remove a fragmentation grenade, which was stored in an ice chest on the front porch.
Montgomery County Animal Control seized numerous fighting roosters and Pit Bulls from Townsend’s residence.
Investigators reported the discovery of evidence Townsend shipped illegal drugs to New York, Tennessee and Pennsylvania, and that money was shipped back to Texas, in addition to links to East Coast street gangs and drug dealers in Montgomery and surrounding counties.
In November of 2008, Townsend was released on nearly $300,000 bond with the help of three co-signers. On January 11, 2008, he failed to appear at a scheduled court hearing and 4A Bail Bonds realized Townsend was gone. Despite offering a $10,000 reward, the bonding company was unable to locate Townsend. The closest they came to the truth was probably when they reportedly heard rumors Townsend fled to Mexico, which is where he was ultimately found.
From 2006 to present, agencies involved in investigating Townsend included the MCSO SIU, MCSO SWAT, FBI (Beaumont office), Liberty County Sheriff's Criminal Investigation Division, the Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety aircraft Division, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and Conroe DPS Narcotics Division.
Zenor said he received a call around 9 a.m. on Wednesday saying Townsend was back in Texas. By 2 p.m. the MCSO SWAT Alpha Team was en route to Laredo where they arrived late that night. At 6 a.m. on Thursday, they took custody of Townsend at the Webb County Jail and headed back to Conroe. At 12:47 p.m., Townsend was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on six warrants for felony bond forfeiture.
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Willis has its first bank robbery in over a decade
By Elliott Cochran
Updated: 06.09.09
WILLIS – Willis police officials are investigating the first bank robbery in more than a decade in this north Montgomery County city after a man robbed a Woodforest National Bank teller at gunpoint Monday afternoon.
The robbery took place at approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday in the Woodforest National Bank at 402 South Danville St. when a black male wearing a black cap, a gray long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans demanded cash from a female teller before exiting the building, police officials said.
Chief James Nowak, who took office in January 2005, said the robbery is the first during his tenure with the department.
“Lt. (Larry) Shoemaker has been here since 1997, and this is the only one (bank robbery) that he could recall,” he said. “It’s a problem you can encounter with banks.”
A press release issued by Willis PD said the man left the bank on foot after taking an undisclosed amount of cash. He is described to be about six feet tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds.
Nowak said his department did not have a suspect at this time.
Woodforest bank officials could not be reached for comment.
The bank robbery Monday was the latest in a number that have occurred in Montgomery County this year. There were six bank robberies in The Woodlands area starting in January and continuing through May.
Anyone with information on the robbery should contact Detective Sgt. Alton Nelson at the Willis Police Department at (936) 856-4039.
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SIU Arrests
On Wednesday, around noon, The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit conducted an investigation at a residence located in the 10895 Block of Dauphine in Willis. The SIU received a TIP that the first below listed suspect was trafficking marijuana from this location.
The SIU established probable cause for a search warrant, which was approved by JP 1 Lanny Moriarty. The search of the residence yielded approximately one-half pound of marijuana and 200 ecstasy pills. Marijuana was also discovered in the suspects Chrysler 300, along with a large digital scale.
Both suspects were located in this vehicle during the investigation. A second residence located in 9940 block of North Shore in Willis was searched as part of this investigation which yielded 3.8 ounces of marijuana and an electronic scale
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Pct. 4 Constable's Office shuts down EMC meth lab
Story, photos by Jamie Nash / Video by Scott Engle
May 29, 2009
Thanks to an anonymous complaint and a swift response, there is one less meth lab in East Montgomery County.
Matthew Adam Harrison, 18, of Splendora was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance – greater than 1 gram and manufacture / delivery of a controlled substance – greater than 200 grams, less than 400 grams.
The clandestine lab was located in an abandoned single wide trailer at the dead end of 11th St. off of East River Drive in Splendora. With woods on three sides and another abandoned trailer on the fourth, it was a location few people would ever get near.
Pct. 4 Constable Rowdy Hayden said his deputies first knocked on the closed door of the mobile home, prompting two men to bolt from the back of the trailer. They caught and arrested Matthew Harrison. However, the man identified as his father, 37-year-old Stacy Harrison, successfully escaped, Hayden said.
The deputies then spoke to the property owners, who live in the first and only occupied residence on the property. After receiving the owners’ consent to search the last mobile home on the property, they discovered an active methamphetamine lab.
Click the arrow to view
“At that time we called in the DPS MIG (Methamphetamine Initiative Group), a combined task force of multiple agencies who work from the DEA office to come out and process crime scenes,” Hayden said.
A Department of Public Safety MIG investigator, whose name is withheld, said substances removed from the mobile home were volatile and extremely dangerous, particularly to someone who wandered inside innocently.
The reaction vessel was a 2 liter plastic bottle.
“If a child would’ve knocked it over, or it had built up too much pressure because it’s capped, the bottle could blow up,” he said. “It can crack, then if air gets to that particular reaction, it can spontaneously catch fire.”
He said solvents, which can saturate the air and easily ignite from someone smoking, a spark, a short in electrical wiring, or even friction from shoes, account for 90 percent of what his agency seizes from meth labs.
The Constable, who took office on Jan. 1, was already familiar with meth lab destruction protocol. A few days into his first term, deputies made an alarming discovery as they began an inventory of items left behind in the evidence room by the previous administration of Constable Travis Bishop. The components of a meth lab were found with tags indicating the substances were stored there since the year 2000. Some of the chemicals had begun to react with one another.
Hayden contacted the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit and the US Drug Enforcement Agency who sent a hazmat team to remove and properly dispose of the chemicals.
SIU Lt. Philip Cash, with considerable experience and training in handling meth lab chemicals, was in command of the effort. Both bases and acids were found in a safe inside the property room, Cash said. At the time, he noted that the chemicals had been there so long that some of them had eaten through paper and cardboard and begun to rust the inside of the safe, which presented an extreme hazard to the entire building. He said if the two chemicals mixed they would have a "very violent" reaction.
Hayden said no meth lab components would be stored in his evidence room, since they could be documented and not required as physical evidence.
“The reason we have DPS and DEA officers processing the scene is so we don’t have to take volatile chemicals back to our evidence room,” he said. “They’ll be disposed of properly.”
The next step for Wednesday night’s case would be to issue public nuisance warnings to property owners, Hayden said, ordering them to clean the area and remove the abandoned buildings so the incident would not be repeated.
“A couple of vacant buildings are just a haven for incidents like this involving illegal drug activity,” he said.
DPS investigators planned to contact the Texas Board of Environmental Quality, and to leave a placard warning people to stay out of the structure.
The on-scene investigation was initiated around 11 p.m. and continued through the night. Like most of his men who were present, Hayden had been awake since before daybreak on Wednesday but all said they were determined to see it through.
The Pct. 4 bust came a day after the FBI announced that seven Southeast Texas were sentenced to federal prison for crimes related to methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas.
In addition to DPS and the DEA, other agencies assisted Pct. 4, including the Splendora Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
“Our department believes that we need to get the drugs out of the neighborhoods,” Hayden said. “That’s why we’re here- The presence of illegal drugs in the community has a huge impact on our children today, and that’s what we want to focus on.”
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DA: Plea agreement reached in record-breaking case
By Jamie Nash
June 1, 2009
CONROE- An East Montgomery County resident and business owner whose arrest yielded the biggest cash and property seizure in the county’s history will not fight the charges against him, according to District Attorney Brett Ligon.
Michael Glenn Anderson, 44, pleaded guilty to first-degree felony charges of possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) and money laundering greater than $200,000, both of which carried possible sentences of five to 99 years or life in prison. Instead, Anderson agreed to a 10 year sentence in the Texas Department of Corrections and forfeiture of his assets, including his home, $270,000, Harley Davidson motorcycle and Lexus SUV.
An older model pickup Anderson owns was returned along with contents of his home such as clothing. Ligon said Anderson’s parents were contacted and retrieved his person effects. The other items will be liquidated, and the money used to fight crime in Precinct 4.
“I’m ecstatic to turn the proceeds over to law enforcement,” Ligon said.
Precinct 4 Constable Rowdy Hayden said Anderson’s arrest and forfeiture agreement should serve as a warning to others.
“There’s no way to sugar coat it, Hayden said, “That’s the price you pay for living that lifestyle.”
He further stated he hoped Anderson would get the help he needed and become a productive citizen after his release.
Deputies with the Pct. 4 Constable’s Office first arrested Anderson on April 23 at his home, located at 17205 Misty Lake Point in the North Crest Ranch subdivision off of SH 242 near US 59.
While investigating an anonymous tip, Pct. 4 deputies found Anderson with around 15 grams of crack cocaine in plain view, then obtained a search warrant and discovered around 2 kilos of cocaine inside the residence.
Anderson was jailed on the possession of a controlled substance charge and many of his valuable belongings were seized. The same evening, investigators obtained warrants for his accounts and safety deposit boxes at Chase Bank. Inside one of his safety deposit boxes, investigators found and seized $270,000 in $100 bills.
By the time a warrant was issued for money laundering, Anderson was free on bond and had fled the area. Pct. 4 officers conducted an intense three-day manhunt and located Anderson in a Harris County hotel. He was returned to the Montgomery County Jail in Conroe where he remains awaiting transfer to TDC.
Hayden said Anderson’s case was only the beginning of fulfilling his promise to constituents.
“We will continue to seek out, arrest, and prosecute drug dealers and users in East Montgomery County,” he said. “We’ll continue to seize their assets; we’re going to put those funds back into the department which will enable us to provide more enforcement for these types of crimes.”
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From the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
PRESS RELEASE
May 8, 2009
On Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at approximately 2330 The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division District 3 received a TIP of a possible wanted person. During their investigation and arrest of the suspect the Deputies uncovered components of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory. The Deputies received consent to search two addresses the TIP advised the suspect frequented. The residences were located in the 11300 block of Gilmore and the 25400 block of Redwood in east Montgomery County. The residences were in close proximately to each other. The suspect was found hiding on the roof of one of the residences. During the consensual search of the residences the deputies discovered items they recognized to be components of a clandestine lab. The Deputes secured the scenes which in turn were searched and evidence seized by SIU deputies trained to investigate clandestine labs. Some of the items recovered or observed at the scene included pseudo-ephedrine boxes, camp fuel cans, glass that contained crystal methamphetamine, coffee filters, funnels, and plastic bottles containing suspected methamphetamine and methamphetamine in solution. This investigation is continuing and will be forwarded to the MCDA for prosecution. No arrests were made at the scene with regards to the lab.
On Thursday, May 7, 2009, The Special Investigations Unit conducted a narcotics search warrant at a residence located in the 19400 Block of Old Coffin Road in East Montgomery County. The SIU had received information from the DEA that three Illegal Aliens, Hispanic suspects were arrested in Lafayette LA on May 6. The suspects were in possession on one Kilogram of ICE methamphetamine and the suspects were known to frequent the area of Old Coffin Road. With this information the SIU conducted and investigation and found a residence on old Coffin Road that was rented by the suspects. The SIU established probable cause for a search warrant which was served in the early afternoon. Approximately 6 bags weighing a total of one pound of ICE methamphetamine was discovered hidden a wall. A digital gram scale, packaging, food sealers, two vehicles and other paraphernalia were discovered inside the residence. This investigation is continuing. The names of the suspects will not be released at this time.
The Special Investigations Unit was assisted by the DPS Narcotics, Houston PD Narcotics, PCT. 4 Constables, District 3 Patrol, and the Conroe PD narcotics.
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| Drugs and cash in Cut-and-Shoot |
EMC man jailed for drugs, money laundering
Second in less than 1 month
Story, photos by Jamie Nash / Video by Scott Engle
May 6, 2009
CUT AND SHOOT- A month-long narcotics investigation culminated in the arrest of an East Montgomery County resident Tuesday on multiple charges.
Juan Martinez Garcia, 24, is charged with first-degree felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute (cocaine); possession of marijuana, more than 4 ounces / less than 5 pounds (state jail felony); and money laundering, more than $1,500 / less than $20,000 (state jail felony).
Sgt. David Womack of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit said an anonymous tip led to the investigation, which was a cooperative effort between his agency, and narcotics officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Conroe.
Late Tuesday afternoon, narcotics officers went, search warrant in hand, to Garcia’s single wide mobile home on the corner of Royal Coach Ln. and Hill Top Ct. in the Deerwood subdivision off of Crockett-Martin Rd. MCSO SIU K-9, Bianca, alerted on the residence when they arrived. However, neither the warrant nor Bianca’s alert were an issue, since Garcia readily cooperated with officers, Womack said.
“Mr. Garcia showed us exactly where the narcotics were located,” Womack said. “We confiscated cocaine, marijuana, and around $3,300 in cash.”
Another man was with Garcia, but he was checked out and released.
“There was approximately 1 pound of marijuana, which was in the refrigerator and in plain view in the entryway,” Womack said. “Mr. Garcia pointed it out.”
Womack said an infant lives in the home, but was not present when the arrest occurred.
Investigators also removed a .357 magnum handgun, a white powder used to “cut” cocaine, a fax machine and a scale.
Garcia's arrest came less than a week after the SIU dismantled an elaborate indoor marijuana lab inside a South Montgomery County residence.
Garcia was not the only East Montgomery County resident arrested on drugs and money laundering charges recently. On April 22, the Pct. 4 Constable's Office, arrested Michael Glenn Anderson of New Caney on drug charges. The agency again arrested Anderson on a related warrant for money laundering on April 28. Anderson remains jailed with bond set at $1 million. As of this writing, bond has not been set for Garcia.
The two cases are unrelated.
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Marijuana growing operation busted in South County
Updated: 05.01.09
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit served a Narcotics Search warrant May 1 in the 29000 BLK of Rio Grande River Street in south Montgomery County.
The search warrant yielded a sophisticated marijuana in-grow operation located within the residence. A bedroom was converted into the grow room which included false walls, automatic chemical and water dispersing system, carbon dioxide tank, blowers, air conditioning system, special grow lighting, electric timers and ballast. The equipment was set up as a permanent operation.
Approximately 50 marijuana plants were recovered from the grow room and from a closet in a separate room that was set up as the nursery for new plants. two loaded 12-gauge shotguns, an electronic money counter, and other items were seized during this investigation. The residence was unoccupied at the time of warrant service.
This case will be forwarded to the Montgomery County District Attorney where warrant will be requested for the known suspects. Indoor grown marijuana has a higher THC level and has a higher street value than marijuana grown outdoors or imported from Mexico.
The Average cost of a pound of indoor, or Hydroponic, marijuana ranges from $1,500 to $3,500 a pound.
This lab had the capability of producing $30 thousand to $50 thousand dollars a year in marijuana, MSCO Lt. Philip Cash said in a press release.
SIU was assisted by Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics department out of Conroe, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics division and MCSO Patrol D-2.
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Charles Alvis - Wanted for Burglary of a Building - CAPTURED
KPRC Wheel of Justice Feature
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Shattered Lives Program
Video courtesy of Montgomery County News
GRANGERLAND- Caney Creek High School students received a dose of reality in the form of the Shattered Lives program last week, conducted by the Grangerland Fire Department, Montgomery County EMS, and countless others.
Click the arrow to watch the video.
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Montgomery County Auto Theft Recovers Stolen Vehicles
PRESS RELEASE:
March 26, 2009
On Tuesday, March 24, 2009, a Crimestopper’s tip led to the recovery of numerous stolen vehicles and a stolen backhoe.
The Montgomery County Auto Theft Task Force received a tip that there was a stolen backhoe stuck behind a residence located in the 17000 blk. of Porter Lane. Investigators from the Task Force and D.P.S. Motor Vehicle Theft went to the reisdence and found a Case 580 Backhoe Tractor stuck behind a business and a residence. The owner of the business and residence was contacted and came to the scene.
Investigators verified that the backhoe was indeed stolen several days earlier from a construction site located off of F.M. 1314. Investigators checked several other vehicles on the property and identified numerous other stolen vehicles. A stripped 2007 Dodge Dually truck was located in the driveway and a stripped motorcycle was located in the garage.
Investigators checked a large barn behind the residence and identifed a cut up stolen Jeep and a partially stripped Jeep that had all identifiers removed. Investigators also found another Jeep on location that had been reported stolen in 1986. A license plate to a stolen truck was found in the barn, but the truck or none its parts were located.
It appeared that the barn was being used to disassemble stolen vehicles. In all approximately $75,000.00 to $100,000.00, were recovered. All of the recovered vehicles, with the exception of one Jeep, were stolen from Montgomery County. One person was arrested at the scene and charged with four counts of Theft By Possession and transported to the Montgomery County Jail.
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Willis PD arrests man with half-pound of weed, 30 pills
By Elliott Cochran
Updated: 03.28.09
The Willis Police Department arrested a transient man living in Willis on drug charges after receiving an anonymous tip.
Andy Eidson, 30, allegedly had a half-pound of marijuana and 30 Valium tablets in his vehicle around 9:15 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of his workplace, Laser Wash of Willis, located at 225 W. Montgomery St.
Detective Sgt. Alton Nelson said officers discovered he had four active warrants in Kansas City, Kan., including two for aggravated robbery and two for aggravated assault.
Nelson said an additional agency was called to determine probable cause to search the vehicle that eventually led to the arrest.
“Somebody called us and said a guy had a bunch of marijuana in his truck,” Nelson said. “We asked him (Eidson) for permission to search his truck, and he refused.
“We contacted the K-9 Unit with Precinct 1 Constable Don Chumley’s office, and the dog alerted on the truck. The drugs were in plain view.”
Precinct 1 Deputy Jerry Serratt assisted in the arrest.
Nelson said Eidson recently was released after being incarceration in Kansas City.
Arresting Detective Ricky Cathey said Eidson told officers he had a joint in the ashtray of the vehicle, but the half-pound of marijuana was sitting on the floorboard on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
The Valium tablets were discovered in the glove box, Cathey said.
Cathey said he has no idea what prompted Eidson to move to Willis, but the department had received reports that Eidson had been living inside his vehicle in front of the business for an unknown amount of time.
Officials at Laser Wash of Willis did not immediately return phone calls.
Nelson said the arrest was an accumulation of agency cooperation, timing and community assistance.
“Usually when we get a call (about drugs), we roll up on a scene and it’s usually not as much drugs as they say or none at all,” he said. “As far as tips go, I’d consider this one pretty accurate.”
As of Friday afternoon, Eidson had not been booked into the Montgomery County Jail.
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SIU: Sale has ended
By Jamie Nash
March 13, 2009
WEST MONTGOMERY COUNTY- When residents of a Magnolia neighborhood decided people were buying more than drinks in a local bar, they contacted law enforcement, who launched an investigation that resulted in an arrest and confiscation of illegal drugs.
Around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, the Magnolia office of the MCSO Criminal Investigations Division, MCSO District 4 Patrol Division, Precinct 5 Constable’s Office and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission converged on the Las Pollitas Bar in the 9000 block of Carraway Lane between Mesa Verde and Hufsmith Conroe Rd.
Lt. Philip Cash, who heads up the SIU, said citizens made numerous complaints directly to police agencies or indirectly through Montgomery County Crime Stoppers concerning drug activity and prostitution at the bar. Their investigation indicated the complaints were valid, since a large number of people visited the bar for short periods of time.
Some patrons stopped after leaving the bar were cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and others had bigger problems.
“People associated with the bar were charged with Class A misdemeanor drug offenses,” Cash said.
Inside the bar, investigators arrested 26-year-old Javier Juarez Vargas, who allegedly had cocaine and about $1,000 in US currency in his pants pockets.
Cash said the bar has been the subject of investigations for a couple of years for various reasons. Vargas is not the owner or manager of the establishment, but is apparently a fixture in the bar.
“We believe he’s just a customer who hangs out there to sell drugs,” Cash said. “There was a DJ booth where the K-9 alerted and we discovered additional cocaine in the pocket of a jacket that was hanging there,” he said.
The cocaine was separated into small plastic zipper bags and had a combined weight of combined weight of 23.8 grams.
Cash said Vargas admitted the jacket and the cocaine inside were his, but there was also a cleverly hidden weapon nearby.
“There was a semi-automatic pistol in a little cardboard box that looked like trash, hidden inside a plastic bag,” he said.
Vargas denied ownership of the gun.
“Both were in close proximity to the suspect so he would have easy access,” Cash said.
The firearm was sent to a lab to be checked for fingerprints.
Vargas was charged with second-degree felony possession of a controlled substance (more than 4, less than 200 grams). Bond was set at $2,500. However, Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed a hold on him, meaning even if bond is posted he will remain jailed until his immigrant status is determined.
There were no arrests for prostitution on Wednesday, but both alleged criminal activities remain under investigation and additional arrests and charges may be forthcoming.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Saturday morning.
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Gunman robs Subway on Frazier
By Nancy Flake
Updated: 03.02.09
Conroe police are seeking an armed gunman who robbed a restaurant normally visited daily by numerous officers, the manager said.
The robbery occurred around 8:45 p.m. Sunday at the Subway at 910 N. Frazier St., Sgt. Bob Berry said.
A store clerk told police that a dark-skinned male – either black or Hispanic and wearing a black ski mask – entered the store brandishing a semiautomatic pistol and demanded the clerk open the cash register drawer, Berry said. When the clerk complied, the robber removed the cash and fled on foot.
He was reported as being between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall and around 180 pounds, Berry said. The man was wearing a grey, hooded sweatshirt over a red shirt, blue jeans and black shoes.
Surveillance video at the store was not good quality, Berry said.
“The suspect knew enough to stay out of the video except when he leaned over to get the cash out of the drawer,” Berry said. “The video was grainy and hard to see; but when the suspect turned around, you can clearly see he’s holding a semiautomatic pistol.”
Store Manager Mike Hasstedt, who was not at the store when the robbery took place, said the man took several hundred dollars.
“I was actually really surprised,” Hasstedt said about the robbery. “I usually have a dozen cops in here. I know they like to hang out in my parking lot to catch speeders.
“There’s usually cops around.”
Hasstedt said he was not aware of any previous robberies at the location.
Anyone with information about the robbery can call the Conroe Police Criminal Investigations Division at (936) 522-3231 or Montgomery County Crimestoppers at (800) 392-STOP.
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Skeeter’s Mesquite Grill robbed by 2 armed men
By Jake Muonio
Updated: 02.23.09
Two men held up the Skeeter’s Mesquite Grill in the Village of Cochran’s Crossing shopping center around 11 p.m. Friday.
It was the second armed robbery in The Woodlands that day after the Chase Bank branch at 8201 Kuykendahl Road in the Village of Alden Bridge was hit around 3 p.m.
Both cases remain under investigation.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Dan Norris said two Hispanic men entered Skeeter’s, located at 4747 Research Forest Drive, as the restaurant was closing. One of the men showed a pistol and demanded money.
The two left through the back door with about $2,000 in cash.
The first suspect is described as about 5 feet 7 inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing a black jacket, black T-shirt with a red stripe across the chest and dark pants.
The other man is described as thin, about 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a shaved head or very short dark hair. He was wearing a grey, hooded sweatshirt and long, tan shorts, Norris said. The man was estimated to be in his late teens or early 20s.
The suspect in the Chase Bank robbery is described as a white male, in his 20s or 30s, who entered the bank wearing camouflage clothing and displayed a gun. He left with an undisclosed amount of money.
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Dashing thieves hit Zales Jewelers in Portofino
By JAKE MUONIO
Updated: 02.20.09
Authorities are searching for two dashing thieves who hit the Zales Jewelers store in the Portofino Shopping Center Tuesday night.
At about 8:30 p.m., the two thieves entered the store, asking to try on two bracelets with a combined value of about $20,000.
Clerks removed the jewelry from display cases, and once each thief had a bracelet, the pair ran from the store, Shenandoah Police Department Lt. Bryan Carlisle said.
“Neither of the two (employees from the store) were able to tell us what vehicle they got into or their direction of travel,” Carlisle said.
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage from the store, and are also trying to locate surveillance footage from nearby businesses that may produce leads in the case.
“We’re definitely thankful nobody was hurt and that force wasn’t used,” Carlisle said.
The men were both described as African-American. One was wearing a black shirt and pants and a white baseball hat with puffy lettering on it. He is estimated to weigh about 180 pounds and is between 5 feet-8 inches to 5 feet-10 inches tall.
The second suspect wore distinctive square earrings that featured white stones in a white metal setting, Carlisle said. That man was wearing a white t-shirt over a red long sleeved shirt. He was described as 5-feet-6 inches to 5 feet-8 inches tall and weighing about 185 pounds.
Carlisle said loss prevention officers with Zales said similar incidents have occurred in other stores in the area. Investigators will be examining the other cases to see if the thefts are related, he said.
Tuesday’s theft wasn’t the first time thieves hit the Zales store in the shopping center, located at 19075 Interstate 45 North.
The last time the Portofino Zales store was robbed was about Christmas in 2005, Carlisle said. That case was solved, thanks to one of the robbers, who dropped a framed photo of his daughter during the crime.
Anyone with information on the theft or suspects is asked to call the Shenandoah Police Department at 281-367-8952.
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Two children report attempted abduction in the Splendora area
By Kassia Micek
Updated: 02.17.09
SPLENDORA – The Splendora Independent School District Police Department is increasing patrols after two students reported that a man tried to abduct them Monday afternoon.
A Splendora Elementary boy and Splendora Intermediate boy told officials a white man with short, black hair driving a silver sport utility vehicle, possibly a Jeep, attempted to lure them into his vehicle between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday in the White Oak Plantation subdivision, which is east of U.S. 59 and south of Splendora, SISD Police Chief Dennis Doerge said.
“They were playing in the street, and this guy approached them and tried to get them to get in the car using toys and candy,” Doerge said. “They ran home – smart kids – and told their dad.”
The students were playing at the end of their street – White Oak Lane – when the man approached them, Doerge said. The father of one of the boys immediately contacted the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
The attempted abduction does not meet the description of any other incidents in the area, Sheriff’s Lt. Dan Norris stated in an e-mail to The Courier.
“Parents should take the time to again speak to their children about ‘stranger danger’ and what they should do if confronted by a stranger,” Norris stated in the e-mail.
The MCSO is investigating the incident and has the district’s complete support, according to a letter SISD sent home to parents Tuesday afternoon. The SISD Police Department is increasing its patrol in this area in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Department.
“I’ll have patrols in the area; and hopefully, we’ll catch this character,” Doerge said.
The district is asking parents and community members to be alert and take all precautions in safeguarding students, according to the letter.
Doerge attributes the students’ fast response to the attempted abduction to the district’s radKIDS Personal Empowerment Safety Education Program, which is a 10-hour family centered safety education program that emphasizes essential decision-making skills as well as physical resistance options to escape violence, according to www.splendoraisd.org. Children 5-12 years old participate in the program with their adult partners to create a true safety partnership.
The program’s curriculum includes realistic defense against abduction and stranger tricks, according to www.splendoraisd.org. radKIDS is a national program that has trained 125,000 children.
Anyone with information about Monday’s attempted abduction in the White Oak Plantation subdivision should call MCSO Criminal Investigations at (936) 760-5876
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Man critically injured in Sunday morning shooting
By Lucretia Cardenas
Updated: 02.16.09
A 22-year-old Conroe man is lying in a hospital bed with a bullet lodged in his chest after an early Sunday-morning shooting at a nightclub on North Frazier Street.
Kenneth “Kenny” Thomas, who had a portion of one his lungs removed at Conroe Regional Medical Center, arrived at the hospital soon after a man began firing shots around 12:30 a.m. in the direction of the new nightclub, Strait Gravy, located in the 2000 block of North Frazier at the Woodcreek Shopping Center.
The bullets struck the club’s glass windows and walls, with one hitting Thomas in the back, near his shoulder. He said he doesn’t really remember anything after being struck, except pain.
“We were inside the club and a dude from outside the club started shooting toward the inside,” said Tristan Mumphrey, a friend of Thomas. “There was an argument outside and one of the dudes ran inside the club and that’s when the other started firing inside. … We all started getting down.”
Mumphrey believes about 10 or more shots were fired, but said he can’t remember for certain.
Keith Patterson, who was also at the club with Thomas, said everyone was scared after the gun was first fired.
“When we heard the gunshots, everyone scattered like roaches,” Patterson said.
Conroe Police Sgt. Bob Berry confirmed that Thomas is believed to be an innocent bystander. Several people were arguing outside the club in the parking lot when the confrontation escalated and one man pulled out a semi-automatic pistol and began firing shots into the air, he said.
When people began to flee into the club for protection, the man began firing into the building, a Conroe Police Department press release stated.
Conroe police have not made any arrests yet, as they are still trying to find the shooter.
Thomas’ sister, Alicia Thomas, arrived at the scene as soon as she heard the news from her cousin that her brother was shot. She drove to Conroe from Houston and was disappointed to learn she arrived at the hospital before police and the EMS, she said.
“His friends were going to take him to the hospital but the police wouldn’t let them,” Alicia Thomas said. “He had to wait for an ambulance and I beat the ambulance to the hospital.”
She was also upset that a Conroe Police sergeant told The Courier Sunday evening no one was injured during the incident, she said.
She is hopeful Thomas will recover, but the bottom of one of his lungs was removed because of internal bleeding, she said. She hasn’t been told when or how the bullet will be removed from Thomas’ chest.
He is currently listed in stable condition.
Thomas’ mother, Alice Thomas, is worried about the safety of the nightclub and the parking lot. Her son wasn’t part of the argument and he had just walked over to the club from his apartment.
“Anyone could have been caught in the gunfire,” she said.
Faye Wigley, owner of Jackson Hewitt Tax Services, which is located next door to the club, also is concerned about safety.
“My daughter-in-law works in the processing room and if someone had shot in that direction, it could have gone through the wall and struck her,” Wigley said. “We work late at night and it’s a concern for us all.”
George Naddour, owner of the Woodcreek Shopping Center, said he was upset to learn the incident occurred on one of his properties.
“I would like to get rid of them now and I’m looking at what I can do,” Naddour said. “I’m sending a letter to the owner because I want to know if he is not at fault. I don’t like what happened and I don’t want it to happen again.”
The building has been leased to Strait Gravy for the past two months. The nightclub owner could not be reached for comment Monday evening.
Conroe Police are asking for anyone with information about the man who fired the gunshots to call the CPD Criminal Investigations Division at (936) 522-3231, Investigator Larry Black at (936) 522-3236 or Montgomery County Crimestoppers at (800) 392-7867.
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Woodlands Wachovia Bank robbed
Updated: 02.12.09
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a robbery at the Wachovia Bank, located at 10000 Woodlands Parkway in The Woodlands, at 2:25 p.m. Wednesday.
Deputies were advised that a white man in his late 20s entered the bank wearing sunglasses and a hat, according to a MCSO press release. The man then demanded money from the clerk. After he took the money, the man exited the bank walking towards a nearby apartment complex, according to a MCSO press release. No one was harmed during the commission of the robbery.
After deputies sent a broadcast of the man’s the description, surrounding units searched the area for the suspect, according to a MCSO press release.
Detectives from the MCSO Major Crimes Unit were called to the scene, according to a MCSO press release. This investigation is still ongoing.
See the Crime of the Week page for photos of the suspect.
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Attempted Sexual Assault
On 01/13/2009 between the hours of approximately 0130 hrs and 0200 hrs, a W/F was picked up on Hwy 105 East of Conroe near F.M. 1485 by three (3) Hispanic males. The three males were in a light tan step side truck, no LP available, unknown make or model and all three were intoxicated. These three males drove thru the Rub-a-Dub car wash thinking it was a store to buy alcohol and then thru the convenience store at Crystal Creek and Hwy 105 East. These three males then took the female to a secluded location in the Crystal Creek subdivision and attempted to sexually assault her. The female was able to escape and call for law enforcement assistance prior to being sexually assaulted.
Conroe Police received a report of three Hispanic males attempting to buy alcohol at the Shell located at HWY 105 east and Loop 336. A license plate was given for that vehicle and was registered to an address in Houston, Harris County.
The first male has moderate to severe acne scars on his face and was wearing a stripped polo shirt and jeans and short spiked brown hair. The second male was wearing a short sleeve button up shirt, unknown color or type and has black short curly hair. The third male is of heavy build and has red hair that is long and wavy. The third male possibly has a beard and mustache as well. All three Hispanic males are thought to be in their mid 20’s.
It is unknown if the two incidents are related but they did occur in the same general vicinity and time frame. Anyone with any information about this incident or these person(s) of interest can contact Crimestoppers or the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Investigations Division.
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Attempted Abduction
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is investigating an attempted kidnapping at the intersection of Alexander Ln. and Hecht Ln., Porter Texas. On January 21, 2009 between the hours of 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM an older model black pick up truck with two white males approached a group of children riding bicycles and ordered them to get in the truck. As the children rode away the passenger attempted to grab one of the children, but was unsuccessful.
The vehicle is described as an older model pick-up truck, possibly a Chevy with rust damage. The males are described as both being white, between the ages of 19-20. The driver of the vehicle was described as having bad acne and wearing a straw cowboy hat. The passenger had a goatee.
It should be noted that this is an isolated incident.
Anyone with information should contact The Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP (7867).
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Police, family search for hit-and-run driver
By STEFANIE THOMAS
Updated: 01.19.09
One month after the Powell men were struck by a speeding vehicle as they drove along Tram Road in Splendora on a riding lawn mower, the hit-and-run driver who plowed into the father and two sons on the evening of Dec. 19 has not been found.
“He left them for dead, didn’t even stop and help them,” said Beverly Powell, whose husband Willie and sons Ty and Rusty were on the way back from the store that night. “The police were saying the car must have been going about 65 miles an hour.”
According to Texas Highway Patrol Trooper William Smith, the accident happened close to the intersection of South Oak Creek Drive around 8:30 p.m. The Powells were hit from behind, by what authorities believe was a light-blue car. No other information is available regarding the vehicle that crashed into the riding lawn mower.
“They were traveling on the right side of the road,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, the [riding lawn mower] had no tail light and no slow-moving-vehicle emblem, which was a contributing factor to the accident.”
Beverly Powell said that her husband and 14-year-old son Ty suffered severe injuries in the crash. Both were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital but have since been released and continue their recovery at home.
“My husband walked away with a broken arm and injuries to his pelvis,” she said. “My son almost lost his leg and his life. He broke his left arm and his right leg has bars and plates in it now. He had to have skin grafts on his foot and ten staples in his head. They’re healing slowly, but they’re o.k.”
Fifteen-year-old Rusty, who was not injured in the wreck, was able to provide police with at least the color of the car that hit them.
“There are kids who use these back roads as a racing track,” Beverly Powell said. “That’s my theory, at least. I think it was kids, playing around, and instead of hitting the brakes they probably accidentally hit the accelerator.”
While Willie Powell received a ticket for his lack of a tail light and failure to mark the riding lawn mower as a slow-moving vehicle while operating it on a public roadway, the still unidentified driver of the light-blue car may be facing a much more severe penalty.
“The degree of the charge would depend on the damage and whether or not there are serious injuries,” said Smith. “But in general, failure to stop and render aid is a felony.”
Anyone with information regarding this accident is asked to contact the Department of Public Safety in New Caney at 281-577-8972.
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Sheriff’s Office breaks up cockfighting ring
By Lucretia Cardenas
Updated: 12.15.08
EAST COUNTY – Law enforcement officers broke up an illegal cockfighting event Sunday afternoon and plan to seek charges of illegal gambling and animal cruelty against at least 15 men and possibly as many as 80 people.
The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is rescuing between 50 and 100 birds from a residence in the 16000 block of FM 1485, said SPCA spokeswoman Meera Nandlal. The SPCA also rescued a Labrador-mix puppy found at the scene.
Acting on an anonymous call to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., deputies drove to the property just south of Texas 242.
A cockfight was in progress when deputies arrived, said Lt. Phillip Cash, who heads the Special Investigations Unit.
The property owner opened the gate to allow the deputies in, but other people ran into the woods, Cash said. The Sheriff’s Office received reports of people running through yards following the deputies’ arrival. Patrol officers are looking for the people, he said.
An estimated 80 people were at the cockfighting event. Two temporary cockfighting rings were found on the property, as well as testosterone and spurs, or blades, for the roosters’ feet, Cash said.
Cash compared a cockfight with spurs to a knife fight between humans.
A dirt hole, behind one of the two trailer homes on the property, was filled with dead roosters. Cash estimated that more than 20 roosters were in the grave and said the birds were all “fresh” dead and most likely died Sunday during a fight.
Additional dead roosters were discovered next to some of the approximately 20 vehicles parked on the property.
Live roosters were in cages in and around vehicles, inside the four buildings on the property and outside the buildings.
Sheriff’s deputies were awaiting a search warrant Sunday evening to search the buildings and vehicles for birds and identifying information to find the people who ran from the scene, Cash said.
Cash doesn’t know how much money was being exchanged, but he believes bets ranged between $50 and $100.
“This is occurring every weekend somewhere in our county or in a neighboring county,” Cash said. “It used to be legal in Louisiana and still is in South American countries (and Mexico).”
As of 2007, cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states, but Nandlal said it is “pretty common” across Texas.
In March, Sheriff’s Office and Precinct 5 Constable deputies raided a cockfighting ring on Peach Creek Valley Road, off Texas 105; and in March 2007, 135 birds were removed from a property in the 28000 block of May Road.
Sunday, deputies detained 15-18 people at the scene and spent several hours questioning the individuals, but the process was difficult because many of the Hispanic males did not speak English, Cash said. Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were expected to arrive at the scene Sunday to check on the detained individuals’ residence status.
Cash said the property owner was also detained. According to the Montgomery County Central Appraisal District records, Luis Arias Benitez, 41, is the property owner.
A man who walked up to the scene Sunday said he was looking for his friend because he received a call that law enforcement had broken up the event. The man would not give his name but said he and his friend learned about the fight through a phone call Sunday morning and he was glad he wasn’t interested in attending after seeing all the deputies at the scene.
The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the operation for illegal gambling charges, which can be a Class A misdemeanor for organizers and a Class C misdemeanor for spectators. No one was charged with a crime as of Sunday evening, but at least 15 men are expected to be arrested.
The Precinct 5 Constable’s Office and the Houston SPCA are conducting investigations for animal cruelty charges. Such charges will be brought against an individual only after the cases are brought before a judge, Nandlal said. Animal cruelty can be a state jail felony if it relates to torture or killing animals, according to the Texas Penal Code.
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MCSO investigating attempted robbery at shopping center
By T.L. Hamilton
Updated: 12.10.08
THE WOODLANDS – Four individuals allegedly attempted an aggravated robbery in a Woodlands shopping center parking lot on Dec. 3, according to police reports.
Two of the four suspects are still unknown in the case that is under investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
The attempted robbery took place in the parking lot of the Alden Bridge Shopping Center, located at Research Forest and Kuykendahl in The Woodlands.
Three adults and one juvenile were sitting in a vehicle when they were allegedly approached by two suspects who demanded money, according to MCSO reports.
Two other individuals remained in the car in which the suspects arrived.
“The victims knew the two suspects that attempted the robbery by name,” MCSO Detective Mike Rogers said. “They did not know the two suspects in the car. Those are the ones we’re still attempting to find.”
One of the individuals was allegedly holding a firearm.
Rogers said a fight allegedly erupted between one of the adult victims, the juvenile and two of the suspects.
The victims told deputies that during the fight, a pipe was allegedly used to assault one adult victim and the juvenile, Rogers said. The firearm was not used.
“(The adult victim) had a few bumps and bruises and the juvenile had a swollen eye from the fight,” Rogers said.
The four suspects fled before deputies reached the scene, Rogers said.
The juvenile’s parents took him to a clinic to be treated for his injury and the other victims also drove off but were stopped by responding deputies.
“They said they thought they would get in trouble too,” Rogers said.
Two of the four suspects have been identified, but MCSO officials declined to release their names.
“We’re still waiting on a statement from the juvenile before we can make arrests or seek charges,” Rogers said.
The suspects could be charged with attempted aggravated robbery, a second degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The case may be an isolated incident because the victims said they knew the suspects and “used to be friends,” Rogers said. The victims told deputies that this is the second time these suspects have tried to rob them, he said.
“This kind of incident is not typical for this area,” Rogers said. “But everyone still needs to be more careful these days – more careful than they would be otherwise.”
MCSO is seeking information on this incident and the two unknown individuals in the suspect’s car. Call Rogers at (936) 760-5876 or Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at (800) 392-STOP (7867).
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MCSO investigating aggravated Woodlands robbery
Updated: 12.09.08
On Wednesday, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives from the Major Crimes Unit responded to an attempted aggravated robbery in the parking lot of the Alden Bridge Shopping Center located at Research Forest and Kuykendahl.
Three adults and one juvenile were sitting in a vehicle when they were approached by four suspects who demanded money from one of the adult victims.
One of the individuals used a firearm to demand the money. A fight erupted between one of the adult victims, the juvenile and two of the suspects.
During the fight a pipe was used to assault the adult victim and the juvenile who was transported by his parents to a local minor emergency clinic.
The four suspects fled in a vehicle when they found out MCSO deputies were responding. The victims fled in the juvenile’s vehicle which was stopped by responding deputies.
Two of the four suspects have been identified but their identities will not be released at this time until the investigation is completed.
If anyone has any information regarding these incident please contact Detectives Mike Rogers at (936) 760-5876 or Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at (800) 392-STOP (7867).
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Gambling Place / SIU Arrests
On Thursday, December 4, 2008 @ approximately 5:45 pm, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit served a search warrant at a business known as Linda’s, located in the 32300 Block of FM 249, Pinehurst, Texas.
The SIU received TIPS from concerned citizens that illegal 8-liner gambling was occurring at the business. The SIU conducted an undercover operation at the business and established probable cause for a search and arrest warrant for the business and its employees.
Two employees were arrested at the scene. Additional arrests are pending. 72 mother boards were seized from the eight liner machines along with approximately $16,700.00 in US currency and other gambling paraphernalia. Marijuana was also discovered in a employee’s vehicle. 16 citations were issued for gambling to the patrons on location during warrant service.
The SIU was assited by the Montgomery County Auto Theft Task Force adn DPS Special Crimes Conroe Office.
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SIU ARRESTS
On Tuesday, December 2, 2008 @ approximately 4:50 pm, the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office SIU served a narcotics search warrant at a residence located in the 1400 Block of San Jacinto, Conroe, Texas.
The SIU received tips from concerned citizens that narcotics were being trafficked from this location along with stolen property. The tipsters complained of heavy in and out traffic and drug transactions occurring in the driveway of the residence. The SIU established probable cause for a warrant which was issued by Judge Trey Spikes, Justice of the Peace Pct2.
During the search of the property and residence two stolen motorcycles and two stolen ATV 4 wheelers where recovered, one was listed stolen from a Sheriff in a neighboring county, one stolen low boy trailer, 3 ounces of ICE methamphetamine, numerous controlled substance prescription pills, 3 ounces of marijuana, other dangerous drugs, drug paraphernalia, electronic scales, two switch blade knives, a pistol, rifle, shotgun, and a full automatic UZI sub machine.
Arrested at scene
1. Andrew Focht w/m dob 06-23-1962
Charged with: Poss C/S Methamphetamine 4 -200 grams ~ Felony-2 Poss Marijuana 2-4 ounces ~ Misd A Poss C/S valium ~ Misd A 3 counts Possession Stolen Property ~ State Jail Felony x 3 and 3 counts Felon Possession Firearm ~ State Jail Felony x 3
2. Christopher Stephens w/m 05-20-1972
Charged with: Unlawful Use Motor Vehicle ~ State Jail Felony Poss Marijuana ~ Misd B.
The SIU was assisted by the Montgomery County Auto Theft Task Force.
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Law enforcement keeping a watch over the holiday
Updated: 11.24.08
State and local law enforcement officials will be out in force throughout the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend in an effort to reduce drunk driving and traffic accidents and enforce compliance with automotive safety regulations.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers will be on the lookout for speeders, drunk drivers and seat belt violators as part of Operation CARE, or Combined Accident Reduction Effort.
“With the holiday season upon us and gas prices dropping, we expect more drivers on our roadways. Many people will choose not to wear their seatbelts and some drivers will be impaired,” Senior Trooper Gary Pflughaupt said in a press release. “DPS will have all available troopers out on the road during the Thanksgiving holiday.”
Operation CARE is a nationwide effort to reduce fatalities during holiday seasons, according to the press release. Troopers will be joining other state and local law enforcement agencies to keep highways safe during the period that begins 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and continues through midnight Sunday.
“We urge parents to set an example by wearing their seatbelts and to utilize car safety seats for their children,” Pflughaupt said in the release.
During the 2007 Thanksgiving Operation CARE, Texas DPS troopers wrote 10,426 citations for speeding and 400 for driving while intoxicated, plus 34 for minors driving under the influence. Troopers also wrote 1,026 citations for seatbelt violations and 358 tickets for child restraint violations.
DPS has a no-warnings policy for seatbelt and child restraint violations.
While neither Conroe Police Department nor the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office have specialized taskforce operations scheduled, officials with both law enforcement organizations advise they will especially diligent during the holiday period.
“Our officers will be out in force to uphold the law,” MCSO Lt. Dan Norris said. “The roads will be busier than usual and our goal is to make motorists comply with regulations for a safer holiday.”
Conroe Police Sgt. Bob Berry said that agency also will be looking for holiday violations.
“There’s a lot more traffic on the roads during Thanksgiving,” he said. “We want everyone to be safe.”
At a glance
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and local law enforcement will be out in force Wednesday through Sunday looking for motorists violating seatbelt regulations and driving while impaired as part of Operation CARE – Combined Accident Reduction Effort – during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
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FLEEING FELON SMASHES SHENANDOAH PATROL CAR
While patrolling the Interstate 45 Southbound service road on Tuesday, November 18th, at 4:30 in the morning, Shenandoah Police Officer Danny Nabors observed a stolen white Lexus driving at a high rate of speed. In an effort to elude Officer Nabors, the driver of the stolen vehicle whipped into the El Bosque Mexican restaurant. As Officer Nabors closed in, the driver struck the front of the marked patrol vehicle and fled south on the service road.
The fleeing suspect ran the red light at Research Forest and quickly got onto the main lanes of the highway. Fearing for the safety of the public and having to proceed cautiously through the intersection, Officer Nabors was unable to locate the vehicle upon entering the highway. Officer Nabors relayed this information to dispatch and Harris County law enforcement agencies were advised to be on the lookout for the stolen vehicle.
Just a few minutes after the dispatch, Harris County Pct. 4 Constables observed the white Lexus on IH-45 and 1960. Having nowhere to go and with multiple police units in pursuit, the driver of the stolen car attempted to exit the freeway near Cypress Station at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control of the vehicle causing it to rollover several times. Four black males, apparently unhurt from the violent wreck, fled on foot into a wooded area near the freeway. A Harris County Pct. 4 K-9 unit quickly arrived on scene and was able to find one of the suspects, identified as Jonathan Troy Dennis a 19 year old male from Houston, hiding in the tree line. Dennis was taken into custody. A computerized check of his name revealed an outstanding warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance with a bond of $800,000.
If you have any information concerning this case or the identities of the three remaining suspects, you are urged to contact the Shenandoah Police Department at (281) 367-8952. If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Montgomery County Crime Stoppers (800) 392-STOP.
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AGGRAVATED ROBBERY - SUSPECT
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRECINCT THREE CONSTABLE’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING AN AGGRAVATED ROBBERY THAT OCCURRED ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 1630 HOURS. THE W/F DESCRIBED ABOVE ENTERED THE IN & OUT FOOD STORE LOCATED AT 2021 RAYFORD ROAD, WHERE SHE PRODUCED A LARGE KNIFE IN A THREATENING MANNER AND DEMANDED CASH FROM THE CLERK. THE SUSPECT MADE OFF WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF CASH. THE OTHER SUSPECT INVOLVED IS THE DRIVER OF A SMALL SILVER PICK-UP TRUCK BEARING TEXAS LICENSE (FIRST THREE ONLY) OF "9JR - ???".
If you have information on the identity of this suspect or on the driver and vehicle owner you could be entitled to a Cash Reward up to $1000.00. Click here to leave a secure webtip or call 1-800-392-STOP (7867). All callers will remain annonymous.
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Suspects dump woman after abduction, rape
By STEFANIE THOMAS
Updated: 11.14.08
Authorities are asking for help from the public in identifying and locating two suspects who allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 22-year-old Peach Creek woman before setting her free near Northpark Drive and Sorters Road Nov. 6.
According to Montgomery County Sheriff’s investigators, the woman was abducted from the Peach Creek area shortly before 5 a.m. Authorities said she was approached by two men in a pickup truck who lured the victim to their vehicle by asking her if she had seen their dog.
“The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries [in the assault] and did not require hospitalization,” said MCSO Detective Ken Bivens.
The suspects’ pickup truck is described as newer model 4-door Chevrolet, dark in color with a silver “headache” rack.
Investigators have released a description of the two men, stating the driver of the vehicle is a white male in his 20s with a gauged-out ear and a white bandage on his neck. His first name might be Alex.
The second suspect is also a white male in his 20s, about 6-foot-1 in height and weighing approximately 160 pounds. He has brown eyes and short brown hair.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective Ken Bivens at 281-577-8958. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling Montgomery County Crimes Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP (7867), or by submitting a webtip at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers.org.
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Child abduction continues to be a significant issue
Updated: 11.10.08
There has been a lot in the news lately about missing children, children being abducted and the subsequent manhunts for both the victim and the suspect. It seems as though we hear a story in the national or local news just about every day.
The fact is, across the nation there are more than 2,000 reports of missing children filed with law enforcement agencies daily. Most are lost in a mall, store or other public place and are easily found. Others come just home late. Some are listed as runaways. A small number become pawns in child custody cases. An even smaller number are found to be truly missing and suspected of being abducted.
Searching the Internet for “child abduction” will get more hits for attorneys and private investigators specializing in child custody cases than hits for how to find or prevent child abduction or exploitation. We often hear the most about the truly abducted children because of the sinister and graphic details of the case.
I can remember when parents, law enforcement agencies and schools taught about stranger danger. They taught what children should do if a stranger approached, tried to lure or made it as far as abducting a child. The stranger danger information is valid to this day, to a point. More than 90 percent of child abduction or exploitation cases in this country occur at the hands of a parent, relative, family member, acquaintance or associate of the family. Children should know not to get in a car with any stranger. They should know that strangers will not search them out to ask for their help, and that if any stranger makes them feel ill at ease, they should get away at any cost, and then tell their parents or a trusted adult.
Now, factor in the Internet and the age of technology. Children are bombarded with images and messages daily, some of which are not suitable for even some adults. Before, child predators had to search out their victim and almost physically snatch the child from their parents, school or home. Child predators now have an almost anonymous swinging door into the home of the child.
The rules are changing. In addition to stranger danger, law enforcement agencies, schools and churches now have to spread the word that not all child predators or molesters are strangers, but may be someone the child may know and trust. School counselors are spreading the word through programs such as “Child Lures” and the WHO Program. Law enforcement agencies and private organizations offer free child fingerprinting. Parents should document their child’s yearly growth with photos, fingerprints and videos. Children should know that kids play with kids and adults play with adults; if someone wants to change that rule, the child should let parents know. Parents must exercise parental control over their child’s Internet access. Parents should know where their children are and with whom they are spending their time.
We will not be able to prevent every case of child abduction, molestation or exploitation. There will be cases like the one where the child was kidnapped by relatives in retaliation over a drug dispute. Child custody cases will occur. It should be the hope and goal of every parent to see a child grow without fear of abduction, molestation or exploitation.
For more information about this or any other crime prevention topic, call the Conroe Police Department Crime Prevention Unit at (936) 522-3327 or 3226. If you have a neighborhood problem or want to report drug activity, call the Conroe Police Department Narcotics Unit at (936) 522-3303 or e-mail cpdnarcotics@cityofconroe.org. For questions, comments or suggestions about this column, contact me at bberry@cityofconroe.org.
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Search Warrant
On November 3, 2008, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Property Division and Special Investigation Unit jointly executed a search warrant in 40’s block of Golden St., Willis, Texas.
As a result of the search warrant, Detectives recovered several ounces of different types of cocaine (rock, crack, powder and liquid). A small quantity of a chemical believed to be PCP, Hydrocodone pills, scales and packaging material used in the manufacture and sale of Crack Cocaine. Several items were also recovered that had been stolen in area burglaries.
No arrests were made since the residence was unoccupied at the time the search warrant was executed. This investigation into the owner of the drugs and property is still continuing.
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Aggravated Assault
Drive by Shootings
On October 22, 2008 Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office District IV Patrol Personnel and Detectives from the Major Crimes Units responded to two shooting scenes in the Magnolia, Texas area.
The first incident was at the intersection of FM 1486 and Sandy Hill Lane when an unknown person shot a passenger vehicle on the left rear quarter panel. The vehicle was turning onto Sandy Hill from FM 1486. The Driver of the vehicle was not injured and there were no passengers in the vehicle.
The second incident was reported 6 minutes after the first which occurred in the 41800 Block of Friar Tuck Magnolia, Texas. Richard Sharp and his family were in the living room of their residence when he heard a loud pop. Sharp heard what he thought was a firecracker and went outside where he saw a sedan style vehicle that sped away West on Friar Tuck. Sharp’s two sons Jeffrey and Jason were on the couch and both were hit with glass fragments from the window and Jeffrey was struck in the back of the head and neck area with a projectile. Jeffrey was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Medical Center by Ambulance. He was last reported in stable condition.
It is unknown if these two shootings are related at this time.
If anyone has any information regarding these incident please contact Detectives Mike Rogers or Trent Lozano at (936) 760-5876 or Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at (800) 392-STOP (7867) or click here to leave a secure webtip.
Watch Channel 13 News report
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Aggravated Robbery
On 10/18/2008 the below pictured white male entered a Shell gas station in the 4700 block of Panther Creek in South Montgomery County. The subject produced a handgun, as seen in the pictures and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk complied and the subject then fled the scene.
It is reported that the subject possibly spoke with a lisp. The subject was wearing a very distinct shirt featuring a very large skull, or "Jason" type mask, on the his right side.
If you have information regarding the identity of this person please call Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP (7867) or click here to submit a secure webtip. You maybe entitled to receive up to a $1000.00 reward.
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Criminal Mischief - Magnolia
During the night of October 18, 2008 an unknown suspect(s) entered onto the premise of Willow City Sign and Rail Inc. located at 38000 Block FM 1774, in Magnolia Texas. The suspect(s) intentionally damaged the fleet of vehicles belonging to the business. It is believed by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Unit that the same suspect(s) returned the following night.
October 19, 2008 and the subjects again damaged the vehicles. This time entering the business offices and continuing their destructive behavior by ransacking the business. The suspect(s) then stole various items from the office and left; the damage done to the business and vehicles was conservatively estimated at approximately one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is requesting your assistance in locating the perpetrators of this crime. Anyone with information is asked to call Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 800-392-STOP (7867).
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Cold Cases Solved
By Jamie Nash
Published: 10.03.08
Three suspects in two unrelated sexual assault cases and a bank robbery case that date back several years have been arrested after they were linked to unsolved cases using DNA testing.
William Michael Proctor, 30, was charged with aggravated robbery of a bank, a first-degree felony; David Early Cooksey Jr., 25, was charged with burglary of a habitation with intent to commit sexual assault, a first-degree felony; and Galen “Buddy” Dwayne Baugus, 29, of Conroe, was charged with sexual assault, a second-degree felony.
The investigations were conducted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Squad and were funded under an October 2007 federal grant from the National Institute of Justice, said Capt. Bruce Zenor. The Cold Case Squad investigates unsolved homicides and select violent crimes where DNA evidence may exist.
The robbery case resulting in Baugus’s arrest was “good police work,” Zenor said, since there was little evidence to test.
“Technology has become so precise,” Zenor said. “At one time, you had to have a large stain and now a sample can be the size of the head of a pin.”
Proctor was allegedly one of three men who robbed Klein Bank inside the Kroger grocery store on Sawdust Road on March 12, 2003. Evidence collected from the abandoned getaway car included a ski mask, which was subsequently tested for DNA and produced a “hit” in the Combined DNA Index System. The DNA allegedly linked the mask to Proctor, who was already incarcerated in Harris County in connection with a 2008 murder that occurred during a robbery in Houston, according to a press release from MCSO Cold Case Detective Thomas Duroy.
MCSO detectives are investigating the possibility that Baugus is linked to another armed robbery at the same bank, the release stated.
Cooksey was charged in relation to an Oct. 1, 2006 incident at a residence on Research Forest Drive in The Woodlands when a 19-year-old woman was sexually assaulted. The rapist cut the teen with a box cutter and stuffed a rag in her mouth, then covered her face with a ball cap to muffle her screams.
Evidence from the cap was sent to Sorenson Forensics in Utah, which forwarded the findings to the Texas Department of Public Safety lab in Houston. When the DNA profile was entered into the database, there was a “hit” on Cooksey, who was already serving time for three sexual assaults in Harris County during the same period.
He is believed to be a serial offender, according to Duroy’s release.
Baugus was arrested on Sept. 9 at his Conroe home in connection with the June 3, 2001 sexual assault of a 19-year-old female at a residence on Curry Road in Conroe. The attacker left the scene and the case went cold until this year, when the Combined DNA Index System linked evidence from the case to a 2003 sexual assault in Harris County, listing Baugus as a suspect.
After detectives obtained a DNA sample from Baugus, the connection was verified and Baugus was arrested.
Since its formation in March 2006, the Cold Case Squad has solved six cold cases and has one that should be cleared soon, according to Zenor.
The increase in funding, which came through a September 2007 federal grant, has been a “tremendous help” in making progress in cold cases, primarily because private labs can be used instead of sending everything to the Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab that is already inundated, Zenor said.
Anyone with information concerning an unsolved homicide or other violent crime is urged to call (936) 760-5837 or contact Montgomery County Crime Stoppers, 1-800-392-STOP (7867), www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers,org.
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Hog ‘heaven’ raided
Jamie Nash
Published: 10.01.08
EAST COUNTY – More than $500,000 in Harley-Davidson motorcycles and parts were recovered Wednesday morning when law enforcement raided a Grangerland-area home and arrested a man for allegedly stealing the bikes and selling the parts on eBay.
Jody Floyd Mathes, 50, was arrested and charged with first-degree felony theft and a felony drug charge after multiple law enforcement agencies converged on his residence off FM 3083 and found the Harley-Davidson motorcycles and parts, along with 5 grams of methamphetamine and a .357 Magnum handgun, officials said.
Officers seized Mathes’ computer, printer and fax machine for further investigation, Womack said.
Mathes had been running a profitable eBay business selling the motorcycle parts and trafficking narcotics, police said.
Mathes was on parole for another conviction involving drugs, according to a search of public records and officers on scene.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Auto Theft Division and MCSO Special Investigation Unit searched Mathes’ residence in the 17000 block of Valley Lane with a warrant signed by Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace James Metts. Assisting in the bust were the Texas Department of Public Safety and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The agency began investigating Mathes about a month ago after receiving a tip from the Tomball Police Department, said Lt. David Moore, head of the Auto Theft Division.
Wednesday afternoon, Mathes was listed on eBay’s website as a “power seller” with a 100 percent approval rating by his customers. He also had 561 motorcycle parts listed for individual sale on the site. Some photos appeared to have been taken on his mobile home or front porch.
Officials with both MCSO divisions said eBay will be notified of Mathes’ arrest, and subpoenas will probably be issued for the company’s information on his activities. That will allow officers to investigate further and possibly contact some of the buyers who unwittingly purchased stolen property.
By all accounts, Mathes had no other visible means of support.
Moore said the Auto Theft Division will attempt to identify the owners of the recovered property, but since owners have likely already filed insurance claims, the bikes and parts will probably become the property of the insurance companies.
“We found 13 complete Harleys that run an average of $20,000 each, six additional stripped bike frames and 30 motors and transmissions that didn’t go with any bike on scene,” Moore said.
The value of the recovered parts is an estimated $300,000, he said.
Officers also recovered a golf cart and a four-wheeler.
Moore said there was evidence of approximately 50 Harleys a | | | | | | |
