TEXARKANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/12/07
Officer Chris Rankin
Public Information Officer
903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)
903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)
Several arrests have been made in connection with one of the largest organized theft operations in the Texarkana area. Earlier this morning, officers and detectives with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department served numerous felony warrants on several individuals for charges such as Theft by Receiving over $2500, Theft of Property over $2500, and Engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise.
The arrests stem from an ongoing investigation by members of TAPD CID and the newly formed Street Crimes Unit into the theft and sale of stolen lawn and farm equipment. Officers and Detectives have recovered several tractors, zero turn radius lawn mowers, and various other farming implements. In some of the cases all-terrain vehicles have been taken as well.
At this time approximately 14 pieces of property have been recovered from around the area with an approximate total retail value of $108,000. The majority of the recovered items have been zero turn radius lawn mowers.
Various tractors and zero turn radius mowers have been linked back to thefts from businesses on both sides of the State Line in Texarkana. In addition to these local thefts, property has been recovered that was taken from other businesses as far away as Hempstead County and the Columbia County/ Magnolia area. Investigators from those agencies are looking into the thefts as well.
At this time investigators are aware of numerous other sales that have taken place in this area involving members of this group, possibly to unsuspecting customers. Detectives are in the process of continuing to contact persons who may be in possession of stolen equipment. If anyone has purchased a piece of equipment from any of the listed suspects please call the Criminal Investigation Division of the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department to verify the serial number.
The suspects and their charges are as follows….In addition to the listed counts, all of the suspects have been charged with an additional felony charge of Engaging in an Ongoing Criminal Enterprise.
*Fred Waller, 34 (Texarkana, AR), 12 counts Theft by Receiving/ over $2500,
1 count Theft of Property over $2500
*Paul Waller, 58 (Texarkana, AR), 1 count Theft by Receiving over $2500
*Larry Williams, 49 (Texarkana, AR), 5 counts Theft by Receiving over $2500
*Tommy Williams, 30 (Texarkana, AR), 1 count Theft by Receiving over $2500, 1 count Accomplice
*Horace "Eddy" Williams, 57 (Texarkana, AR), 9 counts Theft by Receiving over $2500
*Kenneth Howard, 41 (Texarkana, AR), 5 counts Theft by Receiving over $2500
*Darwin Bolden, 32 (Texarkana, AR), 1 count Theft by Receiving over $2500
*Clydell White, 25 (Texarkana, AR), 1 count Theft by Receiving over $2500
*Jimmy Lee Trotter, 57 (Texarkana, AR), 1 count Theft by Receiving over $2500
*Dwight Jamison, 52 (Texarkana, AR), 1 count Theft by Receiving over $2500,
2 counts Theft by Receiving over $2500
*Justin Banks, 22 (Texarkana, AR), 2 counts Theft of Property over $2500
Although the intial investigation is complete, this case remains under investigation. Anyone with information pertaining to this crime is encouraged to call TAPD or CrimeStoppers at (903)793-STOP.
Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.