Early Police made an arrest on Tuesday of a man suspected of being involved in burglaries of businesses in Early over the weekend. 23-year-old Danny Faulkner of Early was arrested, but almost escaped custody causing a brief foot chase at the Law Enforcement Center.
The Early Police Department responded to several reported car burglaries starting at approximately 7:30am Tuesday. While investigating the burglaries, officers determined that the method of entry appeared to be the same as the entry made to 3 businesses that were burglarized recently. The locations of the vehicle burglaries were 3 vehicles from the 200 block of Northline Dr and approximately 8 vehicles on Mitsy Lane.
Early Police said that entry into most of the vehicles was by breaking a window with a small flat instrument while other vehicles were burglarized by being unlocked. Items taken ranged from cash and change to a 40 caliber handgun and other small items. In one vehicle, a laptop computer was damaged by taking a bottle of wine in the vehicle and pouring it out onto the laptop keyboard.
Officers began canvassing the areas of the burglaries looking for possible common factors that would link the crimes. Officer Keith Varner began checking with the nearest motel looking for known offenders with a history of burglary. Officer Varner learned that an individual he arrested a week ago on weapons and drug charges was staying in one of the rooms.
Police state that officers Varner and Brown and Sgt Dibrell went to the room of Danny Faulkner and made contact with him. Officers questioned Faulkner about the burglaries but Faulkner denied any knowledge of incidents. Police say that Faulkner made the comment that some individual came by the previous day and gave him a handgun, he didn’t know his name but didn’t think it was stolen. Officers retrieved the handgun from Faulkner’s bag and matched the serial number to that of the one stolen. Faulkner was taken into custody for theft of a firearm.
Police said that several items were found in Faulkner’s possession linking him to the burglaries of at least one of the businesses and of some of the vehicles.
Police said that Faulkner was taken to the Brown County Jail, and upon arrival, slipped one hand out of a handcuff and was able to get out of the vehicle and run. Officer Varner began chasing Faulkner on foot toward West Commerce. Other Early and Brownwood Police officers, Sheriff’s Deputies and DPS troopers converged on the area and located Faulkner when he ran toward a open field north of West Commerce. DPS Trooper Martin Molotsky apprehended Faulkner in the field.
Faulkner was again taken to the Brown County Jail with additional charges of escape.
Police said that Sgt Dibrell and Officer Brown interviewed Faulkner at the Brown County Jail at which time Faulkner admitted to breaking into Kelcy’s Paving Company, Early Trailer Sales and West-air Gas and Equipment on Sunday night or early Monday morning. Faulkner also admitted to breaking into 8 cars and pickups on Northline Dr and Misty Lane.
Faulkner is charged with theft of a firearm; 3 counts of burglary of a building and escape from custody. The investigation is continuing and other charges could be filed at a later date.
“This is a small reminder that while we do live in a small community, we sometimes get relaxed in locking our vehicles and leaving money and valuables in them,” said Early Police Chief David Mercer. “I encourage everyone to be sure they lock their cars and their homes and don’t leave valuables in your vehicles.”
