Johnson executed in 1990 murder of two Magnolia teens

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

Lonnie Earl Johnson, who was convicted of murdering two Magnolia teenagers 17 years ago, was executed July 24.

Lonnie Earl Johnson

He became the 19th person sent to the death house this year in the state that leads the nation in executions. Johnson was also the 100th killer convicted by a Harris County jury to be executed by the state.

The lethal drugs were given to Johnson at 6:30 p.m., 30 minutes after the execution was set to begin. He was pronounced dead at 6:44 p.m.

According to the witness list, Johnson’s friend, Carrie Christensen, attended the execution. His final words were addressed to her.

“Carrie, it’s been a joy and a blessing. Take care, give everybody my regards,” he said. “I love you, and I’ll see you in eternity. Father, take me home. I’m ready to go.”

Johnson was convicted in January 1995 for the murder of Leroy McCaffrey, 17, and Gunar Fulk, 16, both of Magnolia.

On Aug. 15, 1990, Johnson approached McCaffrey and Fulk at a convenience store at the intersection of FM 2920 and SH 249 and asked for a ride. According to Johnson’s death row information, approximately four miles down the road, he forced the two out of the vehicle at gunpoint and shot them several times.

“McCaffrey was chased some 350 feet before he was caught and killed by Johnson,” the report states. Johnson then took Fulk’s truck and drove to Austin where he told his girlfriend that he had killed two people. Johnson later exchanged the murder weapon for cocaine, the report states.

The truck was later found abandoned in San Marcos. Johnson claimed self defense.

Pictured, Stevie Reid (right) pets “Clyde,” while his mother, Lynda Lyons-James (center) and a volunteer watch. Reid recently visited SIRE, a Therapeutic Equestrian Center. The mission of SIRE is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through horseback riding and related therapeutic activities.
Submitted Photo

Lack of police patrol hours lend thieves opportunity for burglary in Magnolia

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Magnolia has been the target of a series of burglaries that have occurred in the city and though the Magnolia Police Department (MPD) says it is days away from an arrest, a department shift change has lent the thieves opportunity for plunder, according to Capt. Mike Smith.

“The burglaries occurred in conjunction with the shift change,” said Smith, who recently switched two night shift patrolmen to include Lt. Bo Crabtree as a supervisor and Officer Greg Valdez as a patrolman.

Smith claims the patrol hours are not being met by one of the two on patrol.

“People assigned in the department to patrol are not on the street, they are in the office,” said Smith. “One officer cannot observe the whole of Magnolia.”

As a result, thieves had a hay day with Magnolia businesses.

The lack of car alarms and video cameras at businesses has hampered the investigation, Smith said, in addition to having only one detective.

However, evidence collected at each of the incident sites leads police to believe the same people committed the crimes. In particular, some evidence has been instrumental in identifying potential suspects in the ongoing investigation; the first of which police believe began in the early morning hours of July 20.

On the morning of July 21, Jessica’s Hair Salon reported the first of several burglaries. Officer Eric Silliman spent his day running from one business to the next, following a trail of burglaries and gathering evidence.

At the same time Silliman was taking the report at Jessica’s, he observed that the All State Insurance office next door had its front door glass broken.

Evidence left behind by the thieves was similar to that at Jessica’s and was gathered and sent for processing.

Two mechanic shops in town were hit as well. Both Magnolia Auto Repair and First Choice Auto reported several vehicle burglaries.

The burglars broke either a front passenger or driver window and rifled through the cars, strewing items upon the ground around the vehicles.

However, upon taking inventory, the vehicle owners reported no items were missing.

“The intent to commit theft makes it a burglary,” said Smith. “Otherwise, it’s criminal mischief.”

All of the thefts took place along FM 1488 west of Buddy Riley Blvd. And east of Windmill Estates.

Lunchtime was no picnic for Silliman when he was called to the 18600 block of FM 1488 where a complainant reported he had parked his vehicle on July 20 at 11 p.m. only to return the next day at noon to find the driver’s window broken out. Luggage and clothing valued at $390 were missing, along with the complainant’s checkbook.

The thieves were apparently not satisfied with their work at the First Choice Auto and returned on July 22 where, during a routine business check at 7 p.m., Officer Brian Clack found two more vehicles broken into. The contents had been rifled through and once again strewn upon the ground around the vehicle, but no items were missing.

Police also suspect that a July 23 incident may be related to the case. An alarm at Magnolia Pharmacy sounded at 2:10 a.m. and Crabtree responded. Upon arrival, he determined that the front double glass door lock had been broken. Miscellaneous pharmaceuticals and controlled narcotic substances were stolen during the burglary.

Utility projects on track for Magnolia despite rainy season

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Plans put in place months ago will soon come to fruition, weather permitting, and the City of Magnolia will have completed a long-awaited infrastructure facelift.

Pictured, crew members of Kieschnick General Contractors perform work on a water line project, which is estimated to be completed in two to three weeks. Crews will begin work on a new pump station.

City Engineer Craig Kankel reported to the Magnolia City Council at the July 23 meeting on the progress of several projects, namely water well No. 6 and associated component projects, the bid process for road rehabilitation on Buddy Riley Blvd. and Commerce Street, and the status of upgrades being done on the city’s sewer treatment plant.

The ground storage tank is waiting for a final coat of paint and the installation of the well motor. All foundation forms are in place, but the weather is not cooperating, said Kankel.

“The project is going according to schedule and should be complete by summer of next year,” he said.

The contractor is completing the last few water distribution lines and anticipates two more weeks of construction after which the contractor will turn his attention to completing the pump station. Approvals have been authorized for the mechanical equipment for the pump station, which should be completed in November, he said.

The new portion of the wastewater plant, completed just a year and a half ago, is only at half capacity with a 350,000-gallon tank. The equipment for a 300,000-gallon tank is fabricated and being galvanized. Construction should be completed within five weeks time.

A street project approved by council in May consists of rehabilitation and asphalt overlay for the entire length of Buddy Riley Blvd. and at the intersections of Commerce Street.

Kankel told the council that a TxDOT project to widen FM 1488 would include an overpass at FM 149 and the railroad by the old high school and would impact the city’s forced main in the right-of-way, which would have to be relocated.

In discussions with the Magnolia 4A Corp. Kankel was authorized to provide cost estimates to put in a gravity line instead of relocating the forced main.

“Now is the time to do it for the least impact and it should be in place by July of 2009, keeping in mind that design and construction is estimated to take at least a year,” said Kankel.

He recommended that the city purchase easement on one side of the road or the other for the gravity line or relocation of the forced main to prevent duplicating costs when TxDOT widens FM 1488.

Magnolia’s Woolsey, Dancehall Kings mix country classics with originals

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Magnolia’s Jeff Woolsey has been singing on the professional country music circuit for 20 years and on July 31 will release his latest self-titled album “Jeff Woolsey and the Dancehall Kings.”

Jeff Woolsey

The album includes eight original songs and is slated for release by Armadillo Records.

The six-man band boasts a number of residents from in and around Magnolia. It features Chuck Crow on piano and vocals, Jimmy Calhoun on drums, Eddie Moore on bass guitar, Danny Kirby on steel guitar and Paul Bennet on fiddle and vocals. The band recently opened for Merle Haggard at Sam Houston Race Park.

Woolsey started The Taste of Texas Band and released his first single in 1991. In 1994 The Taste of Texas Band was selected as the Coors Light Texas Music Band of the Year in the Houston area.

Woolsey has also opened for the likes of George Jones, Red Akins, Toby Keith and Tim McGraw.

His first album, “By My Side,” was released in 1995 and featured all original songs. In 1996 Woolsey released the single “Just Take My Heart,” with co-writers Calhoun and Billy Spruill.

After years of performing the top 40 country hits in dancehalls and saloons, he is determined to focus on a more traditional country music style.

“When I formed this new band we decided to play the Texas dancehall music we liked, such as Ray Price and Buck Owens,” Woolsey said. He’s been on the circuit with the new band for a year-and-half.

The long-time Magnolia resident graduated from Magnolia High School in 1985 and now resides in Tomball. Married to wife, Gayle, for 10 years, they have two sons, Wesley, 14, and Blake Coleman, 24.

His parents, Harry and Doris Griffith, were founding members of the Magnolia Youth Football Association, so it stands to reason that Woolsey played football in high school as a wide receiver and cornerback.

“I’ll never forget the sign coming into Magnolia in 1974,” remembers Woolsey. “It said population 800.”

The 40-year-old is a down home country boy that started singing at the age of 4 with his step-dad’s band Harry Griffith and The Other Country. Woolsey has fond memories of singing with his step-dad. He credits Griffith with his passion for country music.

“He was instrumental in my appreciation for the honky-tonk music we play today. I developed a passion for it through him,” said Woolsey.

On Aug. 5 Woolsey will play at the Magnolia Auction House and will be at Darwin’s Place on Sept. 22. Log on to the Web site at www.jeffwoolseymusic.com for more information.

From the Book of Clifford

By Clifford Parker
Contributing Writer

“Get back in your car!”

“Get back in your car; get back in your car.”

A few years ago, my mom stepped to her back door and all she could hear was me yelling, “Get back in your car!”

One night a while back a person hit an electric pole in front of our home that was part of a large transmission line. The accident broke the top third of the pole off and caused a transformer to come crashing to the ground. In turn, the lines got tangled and instead of knocking out the entire transmission line, the night sky looked like a giant welder for about an hour before the event was finally over.

As soon as the accident occurred, of course, we heard a loud bang and the sound of electricity arching across the wires. I immediately ran outside to see what had happened. I could see the image of a man walking around under the arching lines. The sparks and fire were running from wire to wire and from pole to ground. The mesmerizing color seemed to attract the human interest with so much dangerous beauty that the urge to not walk closer kept me in awe for a moment.

Then reality set in and I knew the man below the lines was in danger of being injured or killed, so I began to holler at him to get back in his car.

This is where my mom comes into the picture.

The back of her home faces the side door of my house. As I was standing on my driveway yelling across the property at the man, all that my mom could hear was, “Get back in your car!”

Her lights had been knocked out and, of course, she was naturally befuddled by the darkness. But when she stuck her head out her back door, all she could hear was her son hollering, “Get back in your car! Get back in your car!”

Because of the position of her home in proximity to the accident, she did not realize the bigger problem at the end of her house and she started hollering back at me.

She thought I was telling her to get in her car and she began to panic. She has an electric door opener and her electricity was out. Her mind began racing about her dilemma.

“How can I get my car out of the garage? I can’t open the door! Do I simply run away on foot? No, Clifford is telling me to get in my car! Do I crank the car and crash out backward through the door? What do I do? What do I do? My son is hollering at the top of his lungs. Has he electrocuted himself and can’t walk? Has he blown himself up and can’t move? Get to my car! Get to my car!”

After a moment, her panic subsided and things started to come back to order in her mind. For a moment she was about to become the topic of many conversations. Can you imagine someone lunging their car through a garage door on purpose only to find out after the fact it was all for naught?!

Of course, all of this happened in a few short seconds, but her mind, as would anybody’s, was racing ninety to nothing when she finally hollered back at me and said, “Are you hollering at me?”

“No Momma, you’re okay, just stay in the house.”

That was then… and this was just last week…

My family is very fortunate to have been able to live in the area for several generations. We all have many friends. It is a wonderful thing that my mom has many of her friends and family that still live in this area and she is able to stay in touch with many of them. Mom was recently able to spend time with a long ago high school friend named Gertrude. I owe Gertrude one because of a joke she played on me many years ago on my birthday. I ought to tell you her last name…. but I won’t.

Suffice it to say her family roots are from the Cypress area and my mom and Gertrude are high school friends.

My mom drove her car to Gertrude’s home for the visit and was able to park in the garage next to Gertrude’s car overnight.

The next morning my mom was going to follow Gertrude to another location. They both went to the garage and each of them got into their respective cars. My mom was cranking her car when suddenly she heard a noise. There, in her rearview mirror, the garage door began coming down and darkness once again began to follow my mom. Again my mom’s mind began to race.

She realized Gertrude had backed out before her and had closed the garage door on her. “What do I do? Can I find Gertrude’s inside door opener? Do I throw my car in reverse and bust through the door?”

Once again a garage door entered my mom’s daily routine.

About as soon as her mind settled down, the door slowly began to bring light back into the picture and there was Gertrude standing at the garage door with tears of laughter in her eyes. Together two friends laughed until they cried. Gertrude’s natural habits caused her to automatically shut the door, but of course, my mom didn’t know this at the time. Very normal things in two very normal lives have made a lifetime of memories for all of us.

I sure hope my mom’s vision of driving her car through a garage door on purpose never comes true. The family would never let her live that one down!

- Clifford

This year’s Tomball Night will take place on Aug. 3. See Pages 11 and 12 of this week’s hard copy Tribune for a list of participating merchants, the annual Mystery Shopper Poem, and a brief history of the event. Not only is Tomball Night an attractive event for savings-minded adults, children of all ages will find plenty of things to do and see, such as face painting. Pictured, Kurtis Cutler, 6, gets his arm painted at a body-painting booth near Granny’s Korner during last year’s Tomball Night.
Photo by Brian Walzel

Tomball Night marks 35 years of food, fun and shopping

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce’s marquee event, Tomball Night, will celebrate a milestone this year with its 35th annual shopping extravaganza.

Set for Aug. 3 at 5 p.m., Tomball Night will feature dozens of local businesses offering special discounts, giveaways and entertainment to coincide with tax-free weekend.

Continuing a trend which began last year, many merchants will offer their specials and discounts throughout the tax-free weekend rather than just on Friday night.

While the sales and discounts will no doubt attract collective pocket books, the sights, sounds and tastes of Tomball should please the senses.

Several local restaurants will be offering discounts on menu items, while dozens of booths around town will be offering such treats as barbecue, kettle corn, candy, desserts and other fun fare.

The Chamber will once again hold the Mystery Shopper search, where shoppers will use clues offered in the annual Mystery Shopper Poem to find secret shoppers handing out $100 bills.

The Tomball Lions Club will again be selling barbecue in the Wal-Mart parking lot while the Tomball High School FFA will sell food in the Tomball Independent School District Administrative Offices parking lot.

One of the notable events of this year’s Tomball Night will certainly be the Nifty 50s Car Show in the parking lot of Lowe’s on FM 2920. More than 400 classic cars from the 1950s will be on display.

Both Main Street and Market Street will be home to dozens of niche businesses, live entertainment, food and other festival attractions.

In the true form of tradition, the annual Parade of Lights down Main Street, followed by a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m, will cap off Tomball Night at nightfall. This year’s parade will give onlookers the chance to see more than 20 parade entrants show off their creativity down Main Street.

On the bill of entertainment for the evening is a performance by the River Road Boys at Sallie Fisher Art and Frames in the 100 block of Commerce Street, a show by Art de Dance at South Texas Coffee Company in the 400 block of W. Main Street, and a carnival at the intersection of Cherry and Main St.

Martial arts performances will be demonstrated by Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk of Tomball in the 300 block of Market St., and by Kuk Sool Won in the new Academy center.

Tomball Night has steadily grown into one of the Houston areas most popular events. The Chamber has estimated more than 20,000 shoppers will visit Tomball for the event, some coming into town from as far away as Livingston and Galveston.

Alexander reinstated, placed on administrative leave

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

The Magnolia City Council turned over a termination decision July 23, reinstating Cpl. Mike Alexander to his position in the Magnolia Police Department (MPD) and placing him on paid administrative leave.

Cpl. Mike Alexander read portions of the letter at the July 23 city council meeting he sent to the district attorney’s office alleging unlawful orders were given by his superiors.

Sheila Haley, attorney for Alexander, presented an appeal to the city council regarding his July 6 termination.

Chief Ron Cunningham spoke prior to the appeal, defending his decision to terminate Alexander as well as the patrol actions of his department by alleging that discussions he had with Councilmen Dave Sutherland and John Bramlett were the basis for orders Cunningham gave for patrol activity.

Cunningham has said that Alexander was terminated primarily for attempting to install a tracking program on the chief’s computer without his knowledge.

However, Cunningham was not allowed to present this information during the appeal, though he did attempt to defend his position earlier in the meeting based upon the department’s policy manual in regards to Alexander’s dismissal.

“Each officer in the department and its employees is issued a policy rules manual of which they sign for and state they have read it throughout,” said Cunningham, noting that everyone has to follow rules. “It would be a great insult to this department and the city if you do not allow our department to operate as everyone else must operate.”

Haley focused more on the grievance process and what she believes is a lack of continuity in the MPD policy manual for filing a grievance.

After an initial disagreement between Haley and City Attorney Leonard Schneider regarding the appropriateness of Haley’s intent to read the manual, Haley attempted to show that Alexander was not offered recourse for reporting the commission of a crime, nor was he offered a grievance procedure for reporting retaliation.

After convening into executive session to receive legal advice on Alexander’s appeal, the council set the appeal procedure to include Haley and Alexander as the only speakers.

Haley quoted several reasons given for the termination of Alexander including, but not limited to, not following departmental hierarchy, keeping notes on unlawful orders, use of city resources to do so, insubordination, adherence to police duty and the law enforcement code of ethics.

During the appeal, Haley defended Alexander’s actions that were purported as a reason for termination.

She also claimed he did follow hierarchical procedures by making his complaint known to his immediate supervisor, Lt. Bo Crabtree, who advised him that the policies and procedures don’t allow for any appeal to a higher authority.

In addition, Alexander made his complaint known to the mayor, who holds a reserve license as a Captain in the MPD, said Haley. Mayor Jimmy Thornton is within the hierarchy of the appeal process, both by city ordinance and by Texas Local Government Code and by holding that rank in the MPD.

Haley closed by requesting due process in the investigation, compensation for financial loss, and reinstatement to his former position and authority.

Alexander believes that his termination was in retaliation for initiating an investigation by the district attorney into alleged unlawful orders to arrest without cause.

“It was a direct result of me going to the district attorney’s office,” he said.

“I have a duty as a law enforcement officer in the state of Texas and the City of Magnolia to report crimes. I reported this to my direct supervisor, Lt. Crabtree. He instructed me that he did not know who (I) would go to,” said Alexander.

The motion to reinstate Alexander and assign him to administrative leave passed 3-2, with Kana and Williams voting against. It also reimburses him for his salary and benefits retroactive to his termination date until the district attorney’s investigation is resolved.

No comment was made by anyone as to the allegations that Alexander attempted to install tracking software on city property without due notice or authorization.

Constable’s warrant round up nets eight felony arrests

Seven-time felon behind bars

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

During a warrant round-up, deputies from Montgomery County Pct. 5 Constable’s Office completed a 27-hour manhunt, including a 4-hour intensive grid sweep, in the Decker Prairie area that netted the arrest of a seven-time felon wanted in three counties.

Edward James Markell

Deputy constables also made seven other arrests with assistance from deputies in the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. The warrant round-up was conducted in the Magnolia area on July 24.

Ten two-man teams attempted to serve 91 warrants resulting in the eight arrests. Fifty-two wanted suspects were found to have moved out of the county. One vehicle was seized and $340 dollars in fines and fees were collected. Warrants ranged from misdemeanor traffic violations to felony burglary.

A well-known suspect in the round up was Edward James Markell, 27, of Magnolia.

Markell was spotted by Dep. Johnny Carroll at All Star Recycling on July 24 and upon approach evaded arrest, hopping a stack of pallets and jumping over a three-strand barbed wire fence.

A tracking dog was called in from Pct. 2 to follow Markell, but lost the trail.

Over the course of the next 27 hours, Markell was spotted several times, but evaded each time.

A July 25 tip from a resident on Fish Road sent more than 20 deputy constables to the area in search of Markell.

Dep. Constable Scott Hazelwood located Markell in the 23000 block of Decker Prairie-Rosehill Road and chased him across four fences. Markell eventually gave up the chase and was apprehended by Lt. Chris Jones of Pct. 5.

Markell was arrested on seven felony charges including one Montgomery County bond forfeiture for burglary of a habitation, and two motions to revoke probation for burglary and possession of a controlled substance, one felony warrant for evading arrest/detention in Waller County, and three warrants for burglary of a habitation in Harris County.

TISD announces Nov. 6 election for board positions

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

Three positions on the Tomball Independent School District Board of Trustees will be up for election on Nov. 6, with each incumbent hoping to retain their seats.

Position 5, currently held by Ken Odom, Position 6, held by Sam Gregson, and Position 7, held by Lisa Nicholas, all are up for election this year.

Each of the positions carries three-year terms.

Gregson, who was first elected to the board in 2001, currently serves as board president and is seeking his third consecutive term.

Odom was voted onto the board in 2004 and serves as the assistant secretary. He will be seeking his second consecutive term.

Nicholas, board secretary, was appointed to the board in May of 2004 and was elected to the position in November of the same year. She is also seeking her second consecutive term.

Tomball ISD will begin accepting applications for a place on the ballot on Aug. 6. The deadline to submit an application will be 5 p.m. on Sept. 5. Filing documents may be picked up from the board’s secretary in the district offices, located at 221 W. Main Street in Tomball beginning Aug. 6.

To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18-years-old, have a minimum of six months residency within the district and have a minimum of one-year residency within the state as of Sept. 5, 2007.

For more information, call 281-357-3100, ext. 207.

The Heritage Trails chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently celebrated its first anniversary with an increase in membership of more than 30 new members and numerous awards gathered during the Texas State DAR conference. Pictured, (front row, left to right) Vice Regent Joan Johnson, Organizing President Pat Williams, Historian Pat Karis, Treasurer Pegi Ivancevich, and Pat Spackey; (back row, left to right) Sandy Levesque, Bev Pritchard, Registrar Dottie Wainwright, Ann Stuart, Pat Michel, Martha Canant, Holli Cramm, and Linda Hughes. For information on the Heritage Trails DAR chapter, contact Dottie Wainwright at dbw614@yahoo.com.
Submitted Photo

Magnolia city council takes care of business despite turmoil

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

With all the political “bru hah hah,” to quote Magnolia resident Jody Sanders, it does seem that the “peace and harmony of the City of Magnolia no longer prevails” and has shuffled off to places unknown.

But, the business of the city continues despite recent allegations and the resulting litigation with much being accomplished at the onset of two monthly city council meetings. On July 23 Magnolia City Council members approved:

• A budget workshop for Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. to precede a council meeting on the same day.
• The enforcement by notice and collection of past due franchise fees for commercial garbage service providers in the city.
• The final plat for Glen Oaks Section 3, which was recommended for approval by City Engineer Craig Kankel.
• An amendment to the McDaniels Garbage Contract providing for dumpster service in lieu of residential trash cart service.
• A contract with RWS Architects for plans to build out City Hall on Buddy Riley Blvd. The company requested the approval of forms allowing for selection of a proposed builder through a point scoring system. Councilman Todd Kana was nominated and approved as the city contact for construction questions, approvals and change orders up to $5,000.
• Magnolia Public Works employee David Coburn was appointed as the contact for all ECO Resources activity. Mayor Jimmy Thornton said that he and Coburn audited last month’s $48,000 report and found more than $4,000 in errors. As a result of the 12 percent error, the council has charged Coburn with redlining errors on the report and resolving them with ECO.
• Montgomery County Tax Assessor J.R. Moore’s Debt Service Collection Rate of 100 percent and the Certification of Excess Collections for Debt Service in the 2007-08 budget year in the amount of $5,043.16 in unencumbered funds.

Sheriff’s deputies nab car burglar linked to three of 14 incidents

Residents warned to remain cautious

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has apprehended a suspect they believe is linked to at least three of 14 car burglaries that have occurred in the South Montgomery County area recently.

Brent L. Head, 18, of Magnolia, was arrested July 24 in connection with the burglaries.

Brent L. Head

Shortly after 1 a.m. on July 24 a resident on Longneck in the Magnolia Oaks subdivision reported to the sheriff’s office that his trash can was on fire. Dep. Tony Messina was dispatched to the area to investigate the incident.

The resident also noticed a van several doors down whose hazard lights were blinking. Thinking it to be a silent alarm, the resident went to investigate, according to Lt. Wayne Rawley.

Standing in the neighbor’s yard was a man wearing a fleece jacket whom the resident engaged in conversation by calling the man out to the street.

At that time Messina approached the resident and determined that the man was Head. An inventory of Head’s possessions revealed three sets of identification and various other articles.

Head was arrested and charged with two felony counts of credit card abuse and fraudulent use of ID, and two misdemeanor charges of burglary of a motor vehicle and criminal mischief

A series of 14 car burglaries occurred between July 17 and 23, one of which Dep. Fred Bundage was processing as Messina completed the paperwork for Head’s arrest.

A quick comparison found Head to be in possession of identifying information for Bundage’s complainant, as well as two neighboring residents on High Meadow.

Complainants reported that their unlocked vehicles had been rifled through and personal identifying information such as credit cards, checkbooks, drivers’ license’s and social security cards were taken.

Despite the recent arrest, Rawley cautions residents to bring their belongings inside their homes and lock their cars.

“All they have to do is open the door and take what they want,” said Rawley. “How do you safeguard from that?”