Three Stephenville teenagers are in custody on charges of organized crime in connection to a recent string of car burglaries committed throughout Brownwood and Stephenville. The arrests came due to the cooperative investigation of the police departments of both cities according to Brownwood Police Department Assistant Chief James Fuller.
Brownwood PD detective Bruce Spruill worked with the Stephenville Police Department in interrogating the suspects where they were able to connect material evidence that was recovered during the investigation to crimes committed in Brownwood by recovering items such as iPods and iPads, according to Fuller.
“The common theme throughout all of the crimes was that all victims left their doors unlocked,” stated Fuller. “The arrestees didn’t waste time with smashing, if the door was locked, they went on to the next car.”
This fact reaffirmed the idea that most vehicle burglaries are “crimes of opportunity”; they could have been avoided had simple preventative steps been taken.
The teens, identified as Dylan Lee Linderman, Dylan Lee Mantz, and Cody Timothy Sparks, are all 17 years-old and were each arrested on warrants issued with charges for engaging in organized crime, according to law enforcement. They are being held in the Erath County Jail as of Friday. Fuller said more charges may be added as the investigation continues.
“They came to Brownwood specifically for the purpose of breaking into cars,” stated Fuller.
The arrestees confessed to the burglaries of approximately 20 vehicles according to Fuller.
Brownwood Police stated earlier this week that there had been 16 vehicle burglaries during the five day period of May 6-11. These burglaries in Brownwood included locations of Slayden Street, 11th Street, E. Commerce, 4th Street, W. Anderson, 7th Street, Stewart Street, Davis Lane, Bowie Circle, Hillsboro and Sharon Street.
