Constable Office Pct 4: Several theft cases cleared many arrests made Tuesday

Jason Bridges Pct 4

     The Nacogdoches County Constable Office Precinct 4 has conducted a series of felony arrest Tuesday morning. Constable Bridges stated that his office has been conducting an investigation into numerous thefts and burglaries that have occurred in the Woden, Etoile, Shady Grove and Melrose area. The investigation started about a month ago when the constable office received an anonymous tip of where some possible stolen property was located at. Constable Bridges advised that this tip lead to a series of events that would enable the Constable office to clear One Burglary of a residence, four burglaries of a building and Ten theft cases that have occurred in precinct 4. We have been working this case for about a month now and it has been non stop Bridges said. We have interviewed well over 35 people and have traveled outside of the county several times to interview possible witness or suspects as well as to recover some of the stolen property.

     The Constable Office has recovered one generator, two rifles, one horse saddle, two chain saws, one flat screen Television, one all terrain vehicle, flat bottom boat and other stolen property that came from a drilling rig site. During the investigation, the constable office executed two search warrants in Etoile, Texas that help lead to the recovery of stolen property, along with other items that were founds at both locations were marijuana.

     A total of 15 arrest warrants have been issued for 12 defendants in this case. Most of the suspects have been charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. Constable Bridges stated that this was basically one big theft ring that we can link to at least 15 offenses that have been committed in our precinct over the course of the last four months. The constable Office has been able to clear many copper thefts that have been reported over the last few months, along with the burglary offenses.

     Constable Bridges stated that different charges were filed depending on what the actually offense committed was. The Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity Charges will enhance the original charge to one level higher than the original offense. Charges have ranged from a 1st degree felony offense to a state jail felony offense.

     Arrested Tuesday were, Blake Kenner 21 years of age from Shady Grove, Jimmy Dempsey 19 years of age from Woden, Texas, Lucretia Nowman 43 years of age from Etoile, Texas, Derek Stewart 19 years of age from Woden, Texas, Dylan Torbert 20 years of age from Woden, Texas, James Payne 24 years of age from Woden, Texas, All arrested for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity which are all felony offenses.

     Also arrested Oscar Nowman 54 years and Joseph Nowman Sr 56 years of age both from Etoile, Texas, were both arrested for Theft of a Firearm State Jail Felony.

     Warrants have also been issued for the arrest of Joseph Nowman Jr. of Etoile, Tx for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and Tommy Earl Harris (No Mugshot available as of May 12) 48 years of age of Nacogdoches, Texas for theft. Both subjects have not been apprehended at this time.

     Constable Bridges stated that his office also brought two theft charges against one Juvenile. There are also two more suspects still under investigation that possible charges may be filed upon at a later date.