*According to Early Chief of Police David Mercer, the Early Police Department began an investigation into the sexual assault of a child where a 9-year-old said that she was sexually assaulted by a 70-year-old relative.
Wednesday morning at approx 9:00am, the victim and her mother reported the incident to the Early Police. Early police reports state that the mother said that she left her daughter with a relative on Allen Drive to wait for the school bus while she went to work. After a short time, the 9-year-old girl ran out of her relative’s house to the neighbor’s house extremely upset wearing only a t-shirt police reports state. The neighbor called the victim’s mother who returned to get her and reported the incident to the police.
The victim was taken to Burnet, Texas for a forensic interview and examination. The suspect was later interviewed but denied the allegations police said.
On Thursday at approximately 4:00pm, Sgt. Shawn Dibrell and Officer Johnny Brown of the Early PD obtained an arrest warrant and arrested 70-year-old Lowell Stewart from his home on Allen Drive in Early. Police said that during the investigation, officers learned of another family member that had allegedly been sexually assaulted by Stewart numerous times when she was approximately the same age (9) over 20 years ago.
Stewart was charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a child and was released from Brown County Jail on $50,000 bond.
Other law enforcement reports released Friday, September 24th:
Monday, September 20
*1:16am-Brownwood Police were dispatched to the 1700 block of Fort Worth regarding a vehicle that had been keyed. There were no arrests at the time of the report; however, possible suspects were named.
Wednesday, September 22
*Brownwood Police were called to the 1300 block of 13th Street in regard to a civil matter of the sale of a vehicle. According to the report, the complainant stated that the vehicle was never paid in full. The vehicle was last seen August 1, 2010 and that the suspect had moved to Abilene the report states.
*5:40pm-Brownwood Police were called to a theft in progress in the 1400 block of Belle Plain. According to the report, the call resulted in two suspects being issued citations for theft under $50.
*Brownwood Police received a report from the manager of an apartment complex in the 1300 block of 13th Street regarding theft of yard tools. According to the report, the manager stated that an ex-employee had stolen the items. After investigating, it was found that the tools actually belonged to another local apartment complex that the complainant’s daughter manages the report states. The complex that owned the tools was given instructions to file a report regarding the theft.
Thursday, September 23
*12:46pm-Brownwood Police were dispatched to the 500 block of Milton regarding a theft. According to the report, the complainant stated that her brother had stolen a “2” letter off of her home and she wished to pursue charges. The suspect was located and issued a citation for theft under $50.
*Brownwood Police received a report of theft in the 100 block of Market Place Blvd. The complainant stated that someone had stolen a $100 bill from her purse between 9am-3pm. No suspect information was available at the time of the report.
*5:23pm-Brownwood Police were called to the 1500 block of 3rd Street regarding found property. According to the report, the complainant advised that an unknown male had left a bicycle on his front porch three days ago and has not returned to pick it up. The officer checked to see if the bicycle was reported as lost or stolen or registered with the police and it was not. The bicycle was placed in the BPD impound. The owner may contact BPD to identify and claim it.
*9:18pm-In the 1500 block of Coggin Avenue, a Brownwood Police officer was patrolling when he observed a vehicle in front of him without any tail lights. According to the report, the officer made contact with the driver, who was identified as 49-year-old Karen Sue Hinshaw, and found her to be driving with an invalid license and no insurance the report states. Hinshaw was placed under arrest for Driving While License Invalid with No Insurance.
*11:25pm-Brownwood police were called to the 1800 block of Brady regarding unwanted persons. At the complainant’s request, a criminal trespass warning was issued to her neighbor.
*Brown County Sheriff’s Office received a report of stolen goats. The complainant stated that her fences were bad and the goats get out often; however, two usually stay by the house and so she believed they were stolen. 25 Spanish goats are missing from the residence near Thrifty.
Friday, September 24
*2:53am-A Brownwood Police officer on patrol at a local apartment complex heard a loud crashing sound coming from the back of the complex. According to the report, the officer noted a small shirtless man walking in the shadows near the vacant open field behind the complex. Noting the late hour and his suspicious behavior, the officer identified himself to the man. According to the report, a strong odor of alcohol could be noted on the male’s person. The officer recognized the male, who was identified as Arthur Villarreal, and asked him was doing in the area because he does not live in the complex. Villarreal explained that he was visiting and drinking with family when he and his brother got into a fight the report states.
After an investigation of the incident, police arrested Villarreal for Public Intoxication.
En route to the jail, dispatched notified the officer that they had found a Brown County warrant for Burglary of a Vehicle in which Villarreal was charged.
