Athens —
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office worked multiple cases this week that resulted in arrests for copper thefts from various locations of the county.
One of the incidents was reported Tuesday at Henderson County Performing Arts Center at 400 Gibson Road in Athens. HCSO reports said dispatch received a call at 9 a.m. from an employee who said a large air-conditioner had been dismantled and part of the contents removed. It was the third recent incident in which A/C condensers were taken from the Prerforming Arts Center property.
HCSO Investigator Michael Shelley began working the case and was able to identify Walker as a suspect. Shelley obtained a warrant from Justice of the Peace Milton Adams and located Walker at a residence on Joe Prince. The suspect was arrested at the location and transported to jail.
Twenty-five-year-old Patrick Aaron Walker, was charged with theft of materials (under $20,000), a state jail felony. He remained in custody, Friday, with bond set at $50,000.
Shelley was assisted on the case by HCSO Investigator Nick Webb and Athens Police Department Detectives Adam Parkins and Michael Reynolds.
In a separate case, HCSO served an arrest warrant Friday following an investigation into the November 23 theft of copper wiring and surveillance cameras from a residence on Welch Lane in Gun Barrel City. HCSO dispatched a deputy to the scene, who collected evidence that pointed to a suspect.
HCSO Investigator Billy J. Valentine gathered additional information that he presented to Pct. 4 Justice of Kelly Harris. Harris issued an arrest warrant for Travis Lee Andre, 19, of Gun Barrel City. Andre was already in jail on charges of failure to indentify as a fugitive and theft of property. He is awaiting arraignment on the new theft charge.
Incidents of copper wire and copper based materials theft have risen dramatically in the area over the past several years. The Associated Press reports that copper theft has risen by more than 150 percent across the nation since 2005.
According to the Texas Penal Code, state jail felonies, including copper theft, are punishable by anywhere from 180 days to two years of incarceration.
Local News
HC Sheriff’s office arrest copper thieves
- Local News
-
-
Millionaires Club
Tom Denton, who has led efforts to gather tabs from cans, continues the battle to provide housing for parents of children hospitalized while they are away from home.
-
Good as gold
The Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour pulls out Tuesday morning as it has for half a century, but this time, from a new location.
-
A little Hope for West
On Thursday, April 18, West, Texas changed. The small community was shocked and devastated with a fertilizer plant explosion. Lives were lost, hundreds were injured and homes and buildings were flattened.
-
AISD trustees approve agreements at meeting
Action items were all approved Thursday by the Board of Trustees of Athens Independent School District. The approvals were made at their regular meeting.
-
A future investment
Harry and Patti Hogue present a check for $500 to go toward the Splash Pad at Kiwanis Park in Athens. The fund-raising effort is nearing the finish line for the $220,000 project, although donations are still being sought. The Splash Pad is expected to be open some time this summer.
-
Ultimate sacrifice
Peace officers from across Henderson County gathered on the courthouse square Thursday afternoon to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
-
Ideas on display
Charles Parker can do some pretty fancy things with your kitchen utensils and old golf clubs.
Parker’s ideas can be seen on display Saturdays at the Athens Farmers Market. This is his third year to bring his crafts to be sold. -
iPads trim costs
Keeping pace with new technology, Henderson County Justices of the Peace can potentially save thousands of dollars through the use of iPads.
-
Fly-in to help with awareness of airport
Mark your calendar for June 1. Athens will be busy with the Old Fiddlers Reunion and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes events.
To make the day complete, the Athens Municipal Airport will be hosting a “Fly-in” on Saturday, June 1. According to organizer Charles Tidmore, the event will give the local community a better awareness and appreciation of the Athens Airport. -
AISD hires PBK architects
Athens Independent School District Blake Stiles believes one of the biggest considerations rendered at Thursday’s school board meeting was to choose a company that will carry out construction for security at Athens High School and Athens Middle School. The contractor is known as a construction manager at risk.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
