According to Sheriff Bobby Grubbs, a stolen van belonging to the Hamilton First Baptist Church was recovered by Brown County law enforcement before the church even knew it was missing and a 22-year-old man is now behind bars.
According to BCSO officials, “an alert convenience store clerk” noticed a suspicious situation when a church van pulled up to buy gas at 6:00am Sunday morning. The driver, later identified as William Chad Turner of Hamilton, was dressed in a dirty white tank top and jeans that weren’t zipped, officials said. According to the report, Turner bought $5 in gas with cash then attempted to sell a class ring and a bike while at the convenience store in Early.
The clerk reported the incident to police and BCSO deputy John Harper was able to make a traffic stop after hearing dispatch’s conversation with officers about the van. As Harper approached the driver’s side of the white 12-passenger van after the stop, he said that he observed a bicycle, an open can of beer and the driver chewing gum to mask the smell of the alcohol on his breath. Early Police officer Stephanie Haile and DPS Trooper John Moody arrived to assist Harper in his investigation.
According to Harper, when the driver was asked what he was doing in the church van driving away from Hamilton on a Sunday morning, Turner explained that he had been loaned the van so that he could visit his mother. The officers asked him what the pastor’s name was and he replied “John,” which Officer Haile knew was incorrect, according to police. Harper said that Turner admitted on the roadside that he had in fact burglarized the church earlier that morning taking the van and the ring. He was arrested and taken to Brown County Jail.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Slone confirmed the church burglary around 6:30am Sunday. The class ring that Turner attempted to sell at the convenience store was found to have been stolen from a 2004 Hamilton High School graduate who was working on the church organ and had misplaced it at the church. It was also recovered during the arrest.
Hamilton County Justice of the Peace of Precinct 1, Judge James Lively, issued three warrants for Turner’s arrest, which included two charges of burglary of a building and one for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Turner was also found to be on probation for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle out of Tom Green County. He is currently being held in Brown County on bonds totaling $25,000. Officials said that Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office will most likely transport Turner to Hamilton on Tuesday where he will face the above charges.
In other reports released Monday, August 8, 2011:
Friday, August 5
*6:49am-A Brownwood Police officer was called to assist another officer with a traffic stop in the 900 block of Fisk Avenue. The driver of the vehicle was identified as 35-year-old Amy Renea Adams Elliot and had been observed swerving and driving into the oncoming traffic by the officer, the report states. Elliott was noted to have a moderate smell of alcohol on her breath and was asked to perform standardized field sobriety tests according to the report. Elliott was then arrested for Driving While Intoxicated.
*3:27pm-Brownwood Police were dispatched to the 3700 block of US Hwy 377S, Mid-Tex Federal Credit Union regarding forgery. According to the report, an account holder discovered two checks had been stolen from her checkbook and that a suspect had forged the checks. A suspect has been named; however no arrest had been made at the time of the report.
*5:32pm-Brownwood Police were called to the 1200 block of Austin Avenue regarding theft. The owner of the convenience store stated that he had observed a known suspect, on video surveillance, steal two packages of male stimulant pills valued at $8.99 each. The subject was located and issued a criminal trespass warning for the location and a report was generated for theft less than $50.
*8:00pm-Brownwood Police responded to the 2300 block of Berkley regarding the burglary of a vehicle. According to the report, the complainant stated that an unknown suspect had entered his vehicle and stolen $310 in cash out of his wife’s wallet. Nothing else was determined to be missing from the vehicle.
*9:46pm-Brownwood Police were called to the 100 block of Bluffview regarding a domestic disturbance. Communications advised officers that a male suspect had left the scene. According to the report, the complainant stated that her husband, 42-year-old Myron Oscar Condon, had pushed his way through the back door of the residence. She had obtained a temporary Ex Parte Protective Order this date, after Myron had assaulted her on August 4. Myron was located and arrested for Violation of Certain Court Orders or Conditions of Bond in family violence case, and Interfere with Emergency Telephone Call.
*11:36pm-Brownwood police were dispatched to the 2300 block of Stephen F. Austin, the VFW, in reference to theft of a motor vehicle. The complainant stated that some unknown suspect(s) stole his car.
*Texas Department of Public Safety arrested 29-year-old Beverly Renee Gandy for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Grade 1 less than 1g.
Saturday, August 6
*6:12am-Brownwood Police were called to the 1700 block of 7th Street regarding found property. According to the report, the complainant had noticed the bicycle as he was backing out of his driveway to go to work. The bicycle was checked and not found to be reported as stolen. As the officer was locking the gate to place the bicycle into the impound, dispatch advised him of a report of a stolen bicycle from the 1700 block of Avenue I, which is located behind the 1700 block of 7th Street. The officer went to the residence where the complainant stated that his daughter’s bicycle had been stolen overnight. The man and his daughter followed the officer to the Brownwood Police Department where his daughter was able to identify the bicycle which had just been brought in as hers. The bicycle was released to its proper owner.
*10:00am-Brownwood Police received a report of a violation of a protective order. The suspect has been identified; however no arrest had been made at the time of the report.
*2:50pm-Brownwood Police were dispatched to 401 W. Commerce, in reference to shoplifting. Loss prevention employees had two females detained for the theft of property valued at $79.50.
*6:03pm-Brownwood Police were called to 401 W. Commerce regarding theft. The loss prevention employee stated that he had witnessed 44-year-old Pauline Grace Horton of Comanche attempt to leave the business without paying for several items. Horton was placed under arrest for Theft of Property greater than or equal to $50 less than $500.
*6:55pm-Brownwood Police were called to 401 W. Commerce regarding a hit and run accident. According to the report, the complainant stated that her vehicle was struck sometime this date while she was shopping between the hours of 12:00pm and 6:00pm at either Wal-Mart, Kroger or Big Lots.
*Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle which ran a stop sign at the intersection of County Road 180 and Buckview Road, according to the report. The driver was identified as 25-year-old David DeJesus Cardoza of Bangs, who was recognized by the deputy from a party that the deputy had just been at for a loud music complaint. The deputy had seen Cardoza drinking at the party, so he asked Cardoza to perform standard field sobriety tests which he failed, according to the report. Cardoza was arrested and refused a blood draw; however a warrant was obtained for the blood draw. Cardoza was charged with Driving While Intoxicated.
*Early Police arrested 21-year-old Tyler Keeven Chamberlin of Coleman for Possession of Marijuana less than 2 oz in a Drug Free Zone and Purchase/Furnish Alcohol to a Minor.
*Brown County Sheriff’s Office arrested 20-year-old Billy Shy Drew for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
*Early Police arrested 20-year-old Ethan Wayne Griffin for Possession of Marijuana in a Drug Free Zone and Minor in Possession.
*Early Police arrested 20-year-old Coy Rian Mize of Colorado City for Possession of Marijuana in a Drug Free Zone and Minor in Possession.
*Texas Department of Public Safety arrested Jeremiah Heuton for Possession of Marijuana less than or equal to 2oz in a Drug Free Zone.
Sunday, August 7
*1:06am-Brownwood Police were dispatched to the 3300 block of 2nd Street regarding a domestic disturbance. Communications advised officers that a child had called 911 and stated that someone was in their home assaulting her mother. When police arrived, the victim explained that her boyfriend, Ronnie Gene McGraw assaulted her and then left. Officers located McGraw at this residence and placed him under arrest for Assault with Injury Family Violence. He was released a short time later due to a medical condition.
*2:17am-Brownwood Police were called to the 1500 block of Terrace Drive regarding criminal mischief. The complainant stated that someone had damaged her 2001 Chrysler Town and Country minivan. Damage was observed to the rear hatch back door.
*Shortly before 3:00am, a Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy made a traffic stop on a vehicle for running the stop sign at the intersection of County Road 422 and Lakeshore Drive. The driver and only occupant was identified as 55-year-old Wade Richard Hayes of May. An odor of alcohol was noted on Hayes and his eyes appeared to be glassy, according to the report. Hayes admitted to the deputy that he was “too drunk to be drive” and that he had consumed multiple medications along with alcohol and that he was leaving a pool party in Brownwood, the report states. After failing sobriety tests, Hayes was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and taken to the Brownwood Regional Medical Center emergency room for a voluntary blood draw.
*7:41am-Brownwood Police responded to the 1600 block of 1st Street regarding a vehicle which had all four tires “slashed” overnight. The tires were valued at $600. No suspect information was available at the time of the report.
*8:00pm-A Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to the Brown County Jail regarding an attempted escape of an inmate. According to the report, Elias Partida ran out of his cell in an attempt to escape, and ran down two hallways where he was subdued by two officers on duty. A report was taken for Escape While Arrested/Confined Felon, a 3rd degree felony.
*9:19am-Brownwood Police were called to the 1700 block of Main Blvd regarding criminal mischief. The complainant stated that sometime during the night, an unknown suspect had “slashed” the tires on two of his pickups. The approximate value of the tires was estimated at $300.
*12:26pm-Brownwood Police were called to the 2700 block of Memorial Park Drive, Brownwood Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center in reference to two stolen air conditioner units that had been taken from a storage shed located on the property. The stolen property was valued at $900, the report states. No suspect information was available at the time of the report.
*12:48pm-Brownwood Police were dispatched to the 1500 block of Durham Avenue in reference to a vehicle that had been burglarized and its tires slashed overnight. A suspect has been identified; however no arrest had been made at the time of the report. The tires were valued at $60 each. A wallet, CD case, and a pair of new shoes were taken from the vehicle.
*6:29pm-Brownwood Police received a report of a possible assault family violence incident via phone. Possible charges are pending.
*9:26pm-Brownwood Police responded to a domestic disturbance in the 900 block of Booker. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a male and female who had blood on their persons. The female stated that the two had been in an argument and that she had used a broken piece of glass to cut her left arm. She further stated that the male had taken the glass from her and walked outside, returning a few minutes later he too was bleeding from a wound under his left arm. The male refused to answer any questions and refused any medical help to treat or look at his wounds. Neither party wished to pursue charges against the other. The female was taken to the Brownwood Regional Medical Center emergency room for her injuries and the male left the residence on foot against medical advice. Both were given information about adult victims of family violence.
*9:45pm-Brownwood Police responded to the 3500 block of Arrowhead Drive regarding criminal mischief. The complainant wished for a subject to be issued a criminal trespass warning for her residence, which was issued to the subject.
*10:37pm-Brownwood Police were dispatched to the 2800 block of Southside Drive, where a complainant stated that while he was playing basket ball at Coggin Park, his iPhone 4 was stolen from his bag. The phone is valued at approximately $500.
*A Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden arrested 20-year-old Khayman Broadi Delarosa for Public Intoxication.