Robbery - Woodlands

Around 1:45 p.m. on Friday, police say a 38-year-old woman was robbed at gunpoint while returning to work at The Woodlands mall.

Officials with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement saying the victim parked on the south side of the mall near Dillard’s and as she got out of her silver Volkswagen Jetta, she was approached by a black male dressed all in black. The man displayed a gun and demanded her keys and cell phone. The victim complied then ran into the mall.

The bandit fled in the victim’s vehicle, with her purse and a bank bag with an undisclosed amount of money still inside.

The assailant’s identity is unknown and the stolen vehicle has not been located. Investigators believe the robber arrived at the mall in a black Mitsubishi Montero SUV.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at (936) 760-5871.

Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Montgomery County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-392-(STOP)7867.

Govenor Perry declares January as Crime Stoppers Month

Aggravated Robbery

SOUTH MONTGOMERY COUNTY- Police are searching for an unidentified gunman who shot a man around 9:30 p.m. Sunday night.

The shooting occurred in the parking area of the Parkside Apartments, located at 10600 Six Pines Drive in The Woodlands, after the victim and a female passenger emerged from his yellow Porsche, which he parked in a slot near the non-gated entrance.

The victim, a Woodlands resident and restaurateur, was hit once in the abdomen. A MCHD ground ambulance was en route to Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands with the victim in critical condition, but the facility did not have a thoracic surgeon on duty, so they were forced to divert to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston’s Texas Medical Center.

Wheel of Justice Features

Leslie Gill

Michael Obannon

Updated: 08.08.09
SOUTH COUNTY – A check cashing business along Interstate 45 was robbed at gunpoint, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office dispatch.

At approximately 1:20 p.m. Saturday, a man entered the Check ‘n Go located at 25915 Interstate 45 N. and allegedly demanded cash from the employees. He left in a champagne-colored Dodge passenger vehicle and was believed to have headed south on on the I-45 feeder road, MCSO dispatch announced.

The vehicle had out-of-state license plates, a dispatcher said. The robber was reported to be a black male, approximately 6-foot-5 in height who was dressed in a black overcoat and wore a black material covering his face.

It is not known how much money was taken from the store, if any at all. An officer with the Sheriff’s Office declined comment on the incident.

An employee who answered the phone at the Check ‘n Go store referred comment to the company’s corporate office in Cincinnati, Ohio.

With nearly 1,000 stories in 31 states, Check ‘n Go is the second-largest provider in the short-term loan industry, according to the company’s website

From staff reports
Updated: 08.07.09
Residents on one street in the Gleneagles subdivision expressed concern after two men allegedly committed a home invasion Tuesday afternoon.

According to a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office press release, two white males entered a home on Meadowlark Street around 1 p.m. Tuesday, demanding money from the residents at gunpoint.

Wearing dark-colored, short-sleeved shirts, denim pants and dark-colored boots, they fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash in a maroon or burgundy mid-sized Dodge pickup truck, according to the release. The truck possibly could be a Dakota model.

Oliva Bankston, who lives on the street where the aggravated robbery occurred with her husband Jesse, said there have been reports of stolen cars or attempted home break-ins in the five years they have lived in the neighborhood, which is located just north of Texas 242 and about a mile east of Interstate 45.

Oliva Bankston said the couple had a car stolen shortly after they moved into the subdivision.

“(Crime) has been a problem off and on for the time we’ve lived here,” she said. “But (the home invasion) leaves me scared. There’s nothing like that that has happened around here.”

Bankston said she was at home when the alleged aggravated robbery occurred. She didn’t know the name of the people who were robbed.

“I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary,” she said.

Another resident on Meadowlark, who has lived in Gleneagles 23 years, said the reported home invasion is the first serious crime she recalls happening on the street.

“It makes me very concerned,” she said, talking under the assurance of anonymity.

The incident is under investigation by the MCSO Major Crimes Unit. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detectives Paul Hahs or Lozano at 936-760-5876.

Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest or indictment of a felony crime. Call 800-392-7867.

Anonymous tips can be made on the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers website, www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers.org.

Updated: 08.02.09
Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a balding, barefoot white male who robbed Rosewood Cleaners at 25111 Grogan’s Mill Road Saturday afternoon.

A Sheriff’s Office dispatcher received a call around 1:48 p.m. Saturday that a man entered the business and demanded an employee at the cleaners open the cash register. The employee complied and the man fled the premises with an undetermined amount of cash.

Dispatchers described the man as a bald white male, at a height of 5-foot-11 and wearing sunglasses, a blue shirt, khaki shorts and barefoot.

By MIKE TAYLOR
Updated: 07.29.09
A few months ago, Kevin Casey saw three of his neighbors fall victim to the work of graffiti artists.

Now, after Casey’s garage door was tagged sometime early Wednesday with distinctive big, black, bubbly letters, the Sterling Ridge resident has had enough.

Casey, an area representative of the Sterling Ridge Village Association, which falls under The Woodlands Association, has organized a cash reward for information leading to the conviction of the perpetrators.

“It’s got to stop,” he said. “People have got to be aware of this.”

Casey’s home, in the Carmeline subdivision across from Coulson Tough Flex School, is far from what one would call an easy target. There are few trees on the property and a bright light just above the garage. Whoever defaced the door was in plain sight when they did it.

“That’s well-lit, they purposely did it (there) because they wanted the attention,” Casey said. “That’s like a spotlight. It’s kind of like putting it in my face, ‘You can light it all you want, but I’m still going to do it.’”

Among this latest incident of neighborhood art was graffiti on a pair of small signs at Coulson Tough and on the back of a nearby bike path stop sign. A pair of CISD employees scrubbed off the graffiti that was on school grounds before noon Wednesday, after Casey contacted the school and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

The “A” in the Carmeline subdivision sign, which had fallen off, was also replaced by the graffiti artist’s — or artists’ — work.

“Unfortunately, they’re having some fun tagging all over the place and they do it once every couple months,” Casey said.

In the initial graffiti incident, around the time school let out for the summer, Casey said, three adjacent houses down the street from Casey were vandalized. The houses all back up to a greenbelt, where a cement portion of a drainage ditch that abuts Branch Crossing Drive is covered in graffiti. It’s a common spot for teenagers to hang out, too, Casey said, adding that empty beer cans and prophylactics have been found there.

At one house that was tagged in the spring, the brick siding was covered in black spray-painted graffiti. The homeowner’s fence was also marked with small swastikas, perhaps with a marker or pen.

Next door, the back of an SUV was tagged. Next door to that, both garage doors were defaced.

“School went out and we figured it was going to increase,” Casey said, “but it stopped.”

Only for a few months, though.

“This is going too far now when they do this,” Casey said.

Check back for more information, including who to contact about the cash reward, which Casey was still in the process of setting up Wednesday evening

Glen Holmes - Wanted for Capital Murder - Reward Raised

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.
 

Willis has its first bank robbery in over a decade

By Elliott Cochran

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

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.

 

“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.”
 

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.”
 

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.

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.

Marijuana growing operation busted in South County

 Updated: 05.01.09

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.

Willis PD arrests man with half-pound of weed, 30 pills

By Elliott Cochran

CVS Robbery - Wheel of Justice feature

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.

IHOP Robbery - South Montgomery County

Wheel of Justice Feature

Gunman robs Subway on Frazier

By Nancy Flake

Skeeter’s Mesquite Grill robbed by 2 armed men

By Jake Muonio

Glen Holmes - Americas Most Wanted Feature

Dashing thieves hit Zales Jewelers in Portofino

By JAKE MUONIO

Two children report attempted abduction in the Splendora area

By Kassia Micek

Woodlands Wachovia Bank robbed

See the Crime of the Week page for photos of the suspect.

Channel 2 Wheel of Justice

Calvin Taylor

Anthony Criner

Attempted Sexual Assault

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).

Police, family search for hit-and-run driver

By STEFANIE THOMAS

Channel 2 Wheel of Justice

Michelle Garcia

Brandon Brazel - Cold Case

Marcus Fisher - CAPTURED

Home Burglary Ring

Sheriff’s Office breaks up cockfighting ring

By Lucretia Cardenas

MCSO investigating attempted robbery at shopping center

By T.L. Hamilton

MCSO investigating aggravated Woodlands robbery

Law enforcement keeping a watch over the holiday

Suspects dump woman after abduction, rape

By STEFANIE THOMAS

Child abduction continues to be a significant issue

Glen Holmes - Wanted for Capital Murder - Conroe

click here for Americas Most Wanted feature

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 

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).

Cold Cases Solved

By Jamie Nash

Hog ‘heaven’ raided

Wheel of Justice Channel 2 Feature

Carl Andrew Bridges

CPD seizes 370 pounds of pot

 

Conroe Police officers discovered nearly 400 pounds of pot in a local motel room during a bust the night Hurricane Ike blew into town. A suspect has been interviewed and the investigation continues.

 

By Jamie Nash

Woman suspected in eight attempted murders captured in Humble

By STEFANIE THOMAS

MCSO arrests 3 suspected generator thieves

By JAMIE NASH

MCSO seeks 3 laptop thieves

 

By Jamie Nash

Sheriff’s Office arrests two women believed to be peddling hydroponic pot

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office arrested two people in Magnolia Thursday who are believed to be involved in trafficking high-grade hydroponic marijuana, according to an MCSO release.

The MCSO Special Investigations Unit served a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of Weeping Willow Way around 10:30 a.m. Thursday and arrested Meghann Ashley Kotellos, 24, and Ruby Nell Kuzmann, 52. They were charged with money laundering, a third-degree felony, and possession of marijuana (2-4 ounces), a Class A misdemeanor.

The SIU received tips that the listed suspects were trafficking high-grade hydroponic marijuana. The SIU established probable cause for a search warrant, which was issued by Justice of the Peace Trey Spikes. During the search of the residence, hydroponic marijuana, electronic scales and packaging for marijuana were recovered. SIU investigators also recovered $11,000 in U.S. currency hidden in a recliner. The suspects of this investigation were associated with an earlier SIU investigation where 28 pounds of hydroponic marijuana was seized in The Woodlands.

Hydroponic marijuana has more potent THC content compared with marijuana that’s grown outdoors. This style of marijuana is more expensive to purchase and retails for around $3,500 a pound compared with $450 a pound for marijuana imported from Mexico. Evidence recovered at the scene shows connections to California, according to the MCSO release. California and Canada are the primary sources for this type of marijuana.

Montgomery County SIU Narcotics Arrest

On September 2, 2008 members of Montgomery County Sheriff's Office SIU concluded a month long investigation into the illegal distribution of cocaine in South Montgomery County. The investigation was initiated after the SIU received information regarding a Mercedes Benz delivering cocaine to South Montgomery County. As the investigation progressed SIU detectives were able to make several undercover buys from a Hispanic male suspect. They also established that the suspect was an illegal alien and that he had been delivering cocaine to several bars in South Montgomery County and to Adult Entertainment establishments along the I-45 corridor.

Because of the alleged illegal alien status of the suspect, SIU detectives contacted ICE for assistance. The investigation was concluded when the suspect delivered approximately 3 ounces of cocaine to undercover officers at a location in South Montgomery County. The suspect was arrested and charged with delivery of a controlled substance. An ICE agent was on location and an INS hold was placed on the suspect. The suspect was allegedly in this country on a work visa and ICE is in the process of reviewing the visa status.

Crime Stoppers tip leads to arrest of Kingwood teens

Channel 2 Wheel of Justice - Holiday Inn Robbery

South Montgomery County Narcotics Arrests

Text Messaging Tips to Montgomery County Crime Stoppers

Channel 2 Wheel of Justice Feature

Shawn Samples

 Ashley Pearson - Captured

Nikita Van Goffney

 Karen Everett - Captured

MCSO SIU nabs two on drug charges

By Jamie Nash

4 arrested, charged in Walnut Cove burglary

By Jamie Nash

Tip lines do work, but only if the community uses them

 

SIU rounds up six on felony drug charges

By Jamie Nash

Kroger and Montgomery County Crime Stoppers have recently joined together in making Montgomery County a safer place to live, work and enjoy life.  

When you shop at Kroger and present your KrogerPlus card, a percentage of your total will be donated to Montgomery County Crime Stoppers! 

To get started, click on the link below and and print the letter.  Present the letter to your cashier upon checkout at Kroger. The cashier will scan the barcode and associate it to your KrogerPlus Card. Once the card is scanned with the Organization barcode, it will be active for the remainder of the program. You will be helping Montgomery County Crime Stoppers everytime you shop with your KrogerPlus card!

  Thank you for your support.

Kroger - Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Neighbor to Neighbor donation form

  Montgomery County Crime Stoppers is excited about this new partnership and is looking forward to making our county a safer place to live.  If you have any questions, please contact the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Coordinator at 936-539-7867.   

Channel 2 Wheel of Justice features

Glen Holmes

 Burglary of a Habitation

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is requesting information in reference to a burglary that happened the evening of 10 June 2008.  Montgomery Count Sheriff’s Office reported a Burglary of a Habitation on W. Stony Bridge Circle in the Village of Cochran’s Crossing at approximately 10 p.m. The victim was parked in her garage with the garage door open when she was approached by a black male, approximately 5’9” to 6’ tall, 165-170 lbs and bald. The subject took her purse and fled the scene on foot.  The victim was not injured and no weapons were used or displayed.

Television video leads police to alleged copper thief

By Jamie Nash

Christopher Burton Thomas, 36, was charged with two counts of theft of copper, (valued at) less than $20,000, a state jail felony punishable by 180 days to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000 per count; unlawful use of a criminal instrument, also a state jail felony; evading arrest or detention, a Class B misdemeanor; 16 outstanding warrants from Precinct 4, including no driver’s license; failure to appear; no liability insurance; failure to identify; expired motor vehicle registration; 11 warrants for capias profine; and an outstanding warrant from the 221st District Court for surety with possession of a controlled substance.

Last week, Houston’s KTRK Channel 13 broadcast a video of a copper thief in action, taken by an unseen camera set up on a cell tower in East Montgomery County. The video showed a small, heavily tattooed Caucasian man with bolt cutters break into a box containing copper wiring, then calmly and meticulously remove the wiring.

Lt. Dan Norris, with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, said the broadcast evoked a response from a viewer of the video.

“Deputies received a tip that the suspect was the man in the video stealing copper and when they went to his home to investigate, they found him with other stolen items,” Norris said.

Around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, MCSO officers converged on Thomas’s home in the 18200 block of Emerald Circle, located in the Emerald Forest subdivision off FM 1485.

Thomas tried to escape through the back of his house but was captured, Norris said.

The MCSO Auto Theft Task Force joined the other officers and seized a tractor with an altered VIN number from the residence.

Norris said the case is under investigation by MCSO detectives.

Captain Bruce Zenor, who heads up the MCSO Criminal Investigations Division, called copper theft a “crime of opportunity,” which is easy and “extremely lucrative.”

He said copper theft has reached “epidemic proportions,” and estimates the loss in Montgomery County alone to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for businesses and corporations.

“The cost will be passed on to the consumers sooner or later,” Zenor said.

AT&T plans to provide training for law enforcement to recognize the types of copper wire to assist in their investigations, he said.

Meanwhile, some companies are installing hidden cameras like the one that captured the video responsible for Thomas’s capture.

Thomas’s prior convictions include two DWI conviction; multiple counts of driving while license suspended, driving while license invalid and possession of marijuana, along with unlawful carrying of a weapon.

Conroe Police Department Unsolved Homicide - Channel 2 Wheel of Justice feature 

Castillo, Misael

Channel 2 Wheel of Justice Features


Gagendeep, Singh

Paradez, Raul

         


A tip led to the arrests of four people earlier this week at a Willis residence.

Narcotics officers found drugs and firearms at the home in the 9600 block of Oak Hill Drive before sunrise Sunday. Willis and Conroe police executed a search warrant after receiving a tip from a confidential informant, Willis Police Chief James Nowak said.
"One of the defendants alleged to be in the residence was a known gang member, and an AK-47 rifle had been seen in the residence, so the investigators requested Conroe PD SWAT to make the entry and secure the residence, which they did without incident," Nowak said.
Officers recovered the AK-47-style rifle, along with several grams of methamphetamine, the prescription tranquilizer Valium, drug paraphernalia and cash, he said.
The rifle was not an AK-47, which is an automatic weapon, Nowak said.
"It was a Romanian semiautomatic variant of an AK-47," he said. "In Texas, semiautomatics are not illegal."
However, people convicted of a felony are not allowed to possess a firearm for five years after completion of their sentence, he said. One of the four people arrested had a lengthy criminal history containing multiple felonies.
Nowak said investigators will determine whether any state or federal firearms laws were violated.
Jearamie P. Armond, 26, Angela Kay Davis, 25, and Gino Lee Coelho, 42, were charged with first-degree felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), punishable by five to 99 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
Davis also was charged with motion to revoke misdemeanor probation, order of arrest/misdemeanor, two counts of Class C misdemeanor failure to appear and no liability insurance.
The fourth suspect, a 22-year-old female, was charged with Class B misdemeanor possession of a dangerous drug.
Nowak said all four listed the residence as their home address when they were booked.
Public Data showed Coelho has been arrested numerous times and has used a variety of names including Michael Tate and Pedro Hernandez Olvera. His prior arrests included criminal mischief, assault, assault causes bodily injury, possession of marijuana, auto theft, theft of property greater than $1,500, possession of a dangerous drug, cocaine possession, possession of prohibited weapons and engaging in organized criminal activity.
Nowak declined to release Coelho's gang affiliation. He said he had not seen signs of gang activity in Willis and had no knowledge of Coelho attempting to start a gang there, but officers were simply taking his criminal history into consideration.
Jamie Nash can be reached at jnash@hcnonline.com.

Sponsors Wanted


Montgomery County Crime Stoppers is a 501(3)C organization and is asking for your assistance.  Montgomery County Crime Stoppers receives money from the courts to assist with reward payouts but relies on the community for financial assistance in regards to operational and promotional costs.  Without support from the community, Montgomery County Crime Stoppers can not purchase promotional items and advertising.  Without these items it is very difficult to spread the word about Montgomery Crime Stoppers and the impact that is has on making Montgomery County a safer place to live and work.  Please do your part.  If you wish to make a donation you mayclick here to do to so by way of paypal or you make click here to download a donation form.  Thank you in advance for supporting Montgomery County Crime Stoppers.

With all donations above $250.00 you will receive recognition on the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers webpage.  With a donation of $500.00 or more you will receive recognition on the webpage as well as recognition on the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers trailer.  The trailer was seized by the Montgomery County Auto Theft Task Force and donated to Crime Stoppers.  This trailer will be taken to events all across Montgomery County.  Events will include but no limited to Good Neighbor Day meetings, public functions (Rodeo, Parades, Grand Openings) and Neighborhood watch meetings.  

Again, Thank You for your Support.

CONROE - County narcotics officers arrested a known member of the Aryan Brotherhood on drug charges, for the second time in three months, at his Conroe tattoo shop on Tuesday.

Six other people were arrested during the raid, which took place in the early afternoon after a month-long investigation.
Gino Lee Coelho, the 44-year-old German-born proprietor of Gino's Tattoos, was arrested at his business, in the 900 block of East Davis, and charged with second-degree felony possession of a controlled substance.. It was the second high-profile arrest for Coelho in only a few months. Willis Police arrested Coelho at his home in that city on July 1, and charged him and two others with first-degree felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
Lt. David Womack, of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit, said the investigation followed citizen complaints that drugs were allegedly sold from the establishment.
"A uniformed officer followed a vehicle that appeared to be a customer leaving the establishment and stopped it for a traffic violation, at which time the driver swallowed some contraband," Womack said. "He wisely admitted swallowing the drugs after the officer noticed him chewing."
A short time later, the suspect's vital signs began to change, and officers rushed him to a local hospital's emergency room for treatment, Womack said.
That suspect was later charged with a third-degree felony charge of resisting arrest, a state jail felony charge of tampering with evidence and Class A misdemeanor possession of a dangerous drug, Womack said.
Following the traffic stop, Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Trey Spikes signed a search warrant for the tattoo shop, and officers returned and found the front and back doors locked, according to Womack.
"After officers identified themselves as law enforcement, they made entry and found suspects attempting to secure the back door with a large bar," Womack said.
Coelho was inside with another male and a female, he said, who were all arrested following a search of the premises.
"A safe was found inside, but Coelho claimed he was unable to recall the combination, so the Conroe Fire Department provided assistance in getting into the safe where we found several thousands of dollars in jewelry," Womack said. "Coelho admitted he took the jewelry in exchange for tattoos and narcotics."
Investigators found 14 grams of methamphetamine near a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and $500 in currency in a sitting room, Womack said.
Womack said the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms will be contacted about the handgun because Coelho has a felony record and it is illegal for him to posses a firearm.
An employee's vehicle allegedly contained 2 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, and some as yet unidentified pills, Womack said.
Before officers could wrap it up, two alleged would-be customers arrived, wandering into the midst of the active crime scene with drugs in their possession, including 2 grams of methamphetamine and Hydrocodone pills, according to Womack.
One woman who also arrived at the shop was arrested on an outstanding warrant, he said, bringing the total arrests to seven.
According to Public Data, Coelho has been arrested numerous times and has used a variety of names, including Michael Tate and Pedro Hernandez Olvera. His prior arrests include criminal mischief, assault, assault causes bodily injury, possession of marijuana, auto theft, theft of property greater than $1,500, possession of a dangerous drug, cocaine possession, possession of prohibited weapons and engaging in organized criminal activity.
Jamie Nash can be reached at jnash@hcnonline.com.

SOUTH COUNTY - Anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers led narcotics officers to a south county apartment Thursday, where they arrested five people on felony drug possession charges.
Jamie Nash - Courier Staff
The apartment, known as a "hangout" for high school and college students, is located next door to a day care center.
Montgomery College students Kristen Ashley Sanford, 18, and Brittany Danielle Tacconi, 19, and Oak Ridge High School student Steven Shawn Bayly, 18, were arrested, as were Stephen Chandler Melton, 20, and Joshua Cody Findley, 19. All five, who are residents of Spring, were charged with third-degree felony possession of marijuana. If convicted, they face a term of two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Bond was set at $7,500 in each case.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Special Investigation Unit teamed up with Conroe Independent School District Police to serve a narcotics search warrant at the Mission Woods Apartments, located in the 25400 block of Borough Park. Sgt. David Womack said investigators had information indicating that marijuana was sold and used at the location.
"This apartment was a hangout for high school kids along with several college kids," Womack said. "Once at the front door of the apartment, you could smell a very strong odor of marijuana coming from under the front door area. When we made entry into the apartment, there were several people sitting around the sofa, with a water pipe, which had marijuana inside."
Officers recovered a gallon glass jar full of marijuana, about $500 in cash, several scales, baggies, and several smoking pipes, he said. "On the computer, we found pictures of two of the arrested individuals smoking marijuana, along with other pictures of narcotics," Womack said.
The apartment complex is located next to a child day care center, making it a drug-free zone, according to the Texas Penal Code. As a result, the charges, which would have been state jail felonies were increased to third-degree felonies.
The bust was the second time in less than a week that SIU and Conroe ISD Police officers had worked together. The officers arrested three men on Feb. 2 and last Monday on felony drug possession at another south county apartment complex. There, they also found a detailed ledger outlining a "business plan" to sell large quantities of drugs to local high school students, as well as recruiting students in The Woodlands to sell the drugs to other students.
 Anyone with information regarding illegal drug activity in the city is asked to contact local law enforcement or the MCSO SIU at (936) 538-3299. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at (800) 392-STOP. Reports also can be made online at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers.org.

Solving and preventing crime is a cooperative effort between the community, law enforcement and the media.


The community acts as the eyes and ears for law enforcement. The community relies on law enforcement to take action against criminals. Both law enforcement and the community rely on the media to spread the word about crime trends or publicize information on wanted criminals.
We all have watched or heard of television shows such as "America's Most Wanted" and know that when information is put out to the public, the public responds. We in law enforcement also know that citizen input can take criminals off of the street.

Montgomery County is fortunate to have an organization called Montgomery County Crime Stoppers that serves our area with coordination, communication and follow-up on tips from the public to law enforcement agencies. Crime Stoppers is a community-oriented, nonprofit organization that works with the media and law enforcement to prevent crime or to catch people who commit them. It's important to remember that Crime Stoppers uses no tax money and relies only on sponsors and fundraising events to keep the project working.

The concept behind Crime Stoppers is that there are many people in the community who have information on criminals or criminal activity and are willing to give it to law enforcement provided they can remain anonymous and with the incentive that they may receive some compensation for their information. Callers can receive up to $1,000 for information leading to arrest and/or indictment of individuals who commit crimes. Crime Stoppers can be reached at (800) 392-STOP (800-392-7867).

Crime Stoppers also works with other law enforcement tip lines such as the Conroe Independent School District's KID-CHAT (888-KID-CHAT) line. KID-CHAT's primary interest is in information for crimes that are committed on school properties. The Conroe Police Department has established a tip line for information regarding any type of criminal activity with emphasis placed on drug activity in neighborhoods within the city limits of Conroe. The Conroe Police Department's tip line is (936) 522-3303.

We encourage anyone with information about criminal activity to contact one of these numbers so the appropriate law enforcement agency can work on getting the criminals off of the streets and make your neighborhood a safer place to live. Tip lines work. Help us help you.

For more information about this or any other crime prevention topic, call the Conroe Police Department Crime Prevention Unit at (936) 522-3250, 3226 or 3327. You also can contact Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers.org. The Conroe Independent School District Police Department can be contacted at http://police.conroeisd.net/.

For questions, comments or suggestions about this column, contact me at bberry@cityofconroe.org.