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| Cory Lyons | Bubba Thomas Vannoy |
While many people are in the spirit of giving, that was not the case for two probationers assigned to community service last week at the Toys for Kids program in Brownwood where they were caught stealing toys donated for needy children.
According to probation officer Jay Curtis, 19-year-old Cory Lyon of Rising Star and 20-year-old Bubba Vannoy of Brownwood were serving community service hours at the Toys for Kids program located at 2323 Belle Plain in Brownwood on Friday, December 16th. According to Curtis, Scott Martin, the husband of Toys for Kids founder Wanda Thacker Martin, called the probation department to report the incident. Volunteers had noticed Lyons and Vannoy acting suspicious near the teenage gifts and carrying out boxes, which they represented as empty, to each of their vehicles, Curtis said. Volunteers then checked the vehicles and found the toys inside both vehicles, according to Curtis. Lyon’s girlfriend is also a suspect in the incident, as she was present and “took off running,” Curtis reported. The toys taken Friday were returned to Toys for Kids.
The probation department contacted District Judge Stephen Ellis who issued a motion to revoke probation for both Lyons and Vannoy and signed a warrant for their arrest. The two men were called into the probation office Tuesday where they were arrested and charged with Burglary of a Building and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. Lyons and Vannoy are currently being held in the Brown County Jail on bonds totalling $100,000 each. It is expected that charges will be filed against this female as well, said Curtis.
Curtis said that the incident is very disappointing to all involved being the Christmas season and the fact that the toys were intended for needy children.
Lyons and Vannoy were originally placed on probation for breaking into the May and Zephyr schools in 2009. Since that time, they have been additionally charged with theft and theft of a firearm. This crime was against Lyon’s grandmother after they allegedly stole jewelry and a gun from her, reported Officer Curtis.
“We’re out here to protect the public and then you have guys like these,” said Curtis. “It’s sad when everyone is in the giving spirit and something like this happens. Guys that will steal from their grandmother will steal from anyone.”
A hearing originally set to occur in December of this year for previous theft charges was moved to February and the two were out on bond when the most recent thefts occurred, stated Curtis.
