Official site of Tribune News serving Tomball, Magnolia and Waller

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office investigators need help identifying and arresting a home burglary suspect.

On August 8, 2012, during the morning hours a home in the Sentinel Oaks subdivision, just off of SH 249 in the Pinehurst area, was burglarized. Surveillance video
captured the suspect as he left the residence with a large screen television.

The suspect is a white male who, during the burglary, was wearing grey baggy shorts, a dark pullover shirt with a set of angel wings on the back and a baseball cap. The suspect appears to have long thin sideburns that extend into a thin beard to his chin.

Anyone who recognizes this suspect should call Detective Mike Price with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 936-760-5876 or 281-259-6414.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest or indictment of a felony crime. Call 800-392-STOP (7867). Anonymous tips can also be
made through the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Web Page at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers.org.

A man is now in custody on burglary charges, after security footage aired publicly showed the man stealing a television from a house near Pinehurst.

Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) recently released security footage showing a man kicking in the door of a home and running out with a large television. After that footage aired in numerous media outlets, deputies say that they were flooded with numerous tips. One of those tips led them to Zachary Todd Woodard, 21, who they caught near Magnolia.

The home is in the Sentinel Oaks subdivision.

"At the time of the arrest, crystal methamphetamine was found and Woodard has also been charged with possession of a controlled substance," a MCSO press release stated. "During the arrest Woodard attempted to convince detectives that he was his younger brother."

Detectives went on to say that Woodard did not state he had seen the security camera footage, but that he was aware of news reports of the crime.

"His appearance had recently been altered by cutting his hair and shaving," the release stated.

Police said that the stolen property has not been recovered, but they will continue looking.

Montgomery County deputies have charged a Magnolia man after a drunken fight led to a stabbing at his home.

Police say that Benjamin Beasley, 31, stabbed Christopher C. Holliday during an early morning disturbance at Beasley’s home Aug. 17.

Deputies responded to Beasley’s home on Dobbin-Hufsmith Road around 4:30 that morning. When they arrived they found Holliday lying in the doorway and covered in blood. In an odd twist deputies say that Beasley was tending to the victim when they arrived.

Holliday had multiple stab wounds to his arms, throat and abdomen. His situation was critical at the time, but his condition has improved to stable, although he is still in an intensive care unit.

Deputies said the incident occurred after a night of heavy drinking at Beasley’s home.

“When Beasley’s wife and Holliday woke Beasley to move him into a bed, Beasley became agitated and threatened his wife with a knife,” a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office statement said. “She ran to a nearby home to call for assistance and could hear calls for help from Holliday.”

Beasley was arrested at his mobile home and taken to jail. He is being held on a $150,000 bond.

Deputies say that detectives are still reviewing evidence and investigating the case.

Detectives need help from the public in locating and arresting two people that are wanted for the exploitation of a disabled individual.

In mid-August 2012, deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office met with a disabled male victim in the Montgomery area who had hired two people as caretakers.  After terminating their employment the victim discovered that the suspects had stolen items from his home, some of which were sentimental to the victim that had belonged to his late wife. 

After completing an investigation investigators have charged two suspects with exploitation of a disabled individual, however the two suspects have not been located or arrested. The suspects are Theresa McElroy, 42 and Michael Wayne Brown, 40.

Anyone who can provide information to help capture these suspects should call Detective Shannon Spencer at 936-760-5876 during regular business hours, Communications at 936-760-5800 (24 hrs) or Crime Stoppers.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest or indictment of a felony crime.   Call 800-392-STOP (7867). Anonymous tips can also be made through the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Web Page at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers.org.

A Tomball woman was convicted of Intoxication Manslaughter by a Montgomery County jury, in a rare case involving legal prescription drugs.

Sherri Lorene Holloway, 31, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison following her conviction. The case stemmed from a crash on SH 105 in February of 2011, where Holloway crossed the center line, hitting a white Chevrolet van, killing its driver, Kenneth Buffington. Prosecutors said he was killed almost instantly, due to the force of the crash.

Holloway was seriously injured in the crash and sent by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Witnesses said Holloway’s vehicle was weaving erratically before the crash, even causing a tractor-trailer to have to leave the roadway to avoid her, so State Trooper Eric Lopez obtained a blood sample from Holloway at the hospital. He was also given a baggie with numerous pills that hospital staff found on her.

Lab results showed that Holloway had a combination of valium, soma and hydrocodone in her system at the time the sample was taken.

After hearing testimony from forensic experts and witnesses to the crash, jurors took less than 10 minutes to convict her of the crime.

During the punishment phase prosecutors were able to enter evidence of another crash involving Holloway, which injured Tomball police officers Cpt. Rick Grassi and Sgt. Rebecca Carlisle.

Prosecutors said that in May of 2010, Holloway hit theTomball police officers in a police vehicle on FM 2978, while they were on their way to a police funeral in Conroe. Both officers were injured in the crash. She was allegedly under the influence of the same drugs when that crash occurred.

The 12-year sentence means that Holloway must serve at least half of that before she is eligible for parole. She will be credited with time served already in the Montgomery County Jail, meaning she will possibly have to serve less than five years in state prison.

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Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies said a convenience store in the Pinehurst area was burglarized, during the early morning of Dec. 5.

Ken’s Bread and Butter store in the 34700 block of SH249, was burglarized and the suspects tried to get into the automatic teller machine.

Two males pried open the front door of the business and both were wearing dark colored clothing and had their faces covered, according to deputies.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is seeking assistance from the public to solve this crime.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Shannon Spencer of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 281-577-8942 or 936- 760-5800. 

Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest or indictment of a felony crime.  Call 800-392-STOP (7867).  Anonymous tips can also be made through the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers WEB PAGE at www.montgomerycountycrimstoppers.org.

Montgomery County deputies caught a home invasion suspect as he was being treated for a gunshot wound he suffered during the crime.

Adrian Granados-Yepez, 27, of Tomball was arrested at Memorial Hermann Hospital Jan. 28, in Houston, after deputies say he was shot by a Magnolia woman, after breaking into her home. The home invasion occurred in the 18700 block of Mink Lake Drive.

Deputies said that three men attempted to enter the home Jan. 25 , but fled after the 33-year-old mother shot Yepez.

The woman, who did not want to be identified, told deputies that she was putting her 6-year-old son to bed when she heard noises coming from her bedroom. She then ran into her living room, where she saw three masked men pointing a gun at her.

She told detectives that she then led the men to her bedroom, promising to get them money, where she retrieved her pistol and shot Yepez in the stomach. While Yepez and another man fled, a third suspect grabbed the woman's gun and kicked her, before running out of the house.

"Detectives continue to investigate the incident and are working to identify other suspects," Montgomery County Sheriff's Lt. Dan Norris said in a statement.

Detectives are asking that anyone with information call the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-392-7867, the sheriff's office at 936-760-5800 or detectives Mullis and Hahs at 936-760-5876.

Montgomery County Sheriff's and Pct. 5 deputies found the gruesome scene of a body near the railroad tracks, the morning of March 12, along FM 1774, just north of High Meadow Ranch Road.

Lt. Dan Norris, of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said that they received a call at about 10:30 that morning from the conductor of a train, who said he had seen a body near the tracks.

Upon arrival the deputies found a deceased male lying near the tracks, with no identification. Officials estimated him to be between 20-30 years old.

A Union Pacific railroad worker at the scene said that he was told the man's legs were severed.

"Due to the victims injuries, it appears that a train did strike the individual," a press release from the sheriff's office stated.

Norris stated that detectives are still investigating, trying to determine exactly what happened to the man.

The body was transported to the Montgomery County Forensic Center for autopsy and detectives have tentatively identified the man.

If it turns out that the man was struck by the train it will be the second week in a row for a train accident in the Magnolia area. Last week a trailer hauling oilfield equipment was struck in downtown Magnolia, while attempting to cross the tracks.

Tomball PD

July 22 - Officer Garza arrested a 21-year-old man from Dayton for Possession of Marijuana. At 9:50 a.m., Garza responded to a disturbance in the 1100 block of S. Cherry. During a search, Garza discovered marijuana in the suspect’s bag.

July 22 - Officer Finney arrested a 27-year-old man from Medina and a 23-year-old man from Sweeny for Possession of Marijuana. At 3:40 p.m., Finney conducted a traffic stop in the 14800 block of FM 2920 and detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle. During a search, Finney discovered marijuana in the vehicle.

July 23 - Officer Ferguson responded to a Burglary of a Habitation in the 1100 block of Lovett, where an X-Box console valued at $265.00 was stolen.

July 23 - Officer Sparks responded to a Burglary of a Motor Vehicle in the 27600 block of Tomball Pkwy., where a pair of sunglasses valued at $100 was stolen and $1,100 worth of damage was inflicted upon the vehicle.

July 24 - Corporal Welch arrested a 33-year-old woman from Cleveland for Theft. At 8:30 a.m., Welch responded to a theft of approximately $150 in cash in the 500 block of Graham and the suspect was arrested without incident.

July 24 - Officer Patin arrested a 38-year-old man from The Woodlands for Theft. At 2:20 p.m., Patin responded to a theft in the 14400 block of FM 2920 and the suspect was arrested without incident. Approximately $165.50 worth of merchandise was recovered by the arrest.

July 26 - Corporal Gorman arrested a 22-year-old man from Tomball for Possession of Marijuana. At 11:35 p.m., Gorman responded to a noise disturbance in the 100 block of McPhail.  During a search, Gorman discovered marijuana in the suspect’s pocket.

July 27 - Officer Sparks arrested a 24-year-old man from The Woodlands for Assault Family Violence. At 6:50 p.m., Sparks responded to a disturbance in the 1400 block of Keefer. Upon investigation, Sparks discovered that the suspect had assaulted his girlfriend.

July 27 - Corporal Welch arrested a 39-year-old woman from Plantersville for Theft. At 12:30 p.m., Welch responded to a theft in the 14300 block of FM 2920 and the suspect was arrested without incident. Approximately $426.99 worth of merchandise was recovered by the arrest.

July 28 - Officer Rodriguez arrested a 26-year-old man from Tomball for Possession of a Controlled Substance. At 1 a.m., Rodriguez made contact with the suspect in the 28700 block of Tomball Pkwy. During a search, Rodriguez discovered trazadon and hydrocodone in the suspect’s pocket.

Mont. Co. Sheriff’s Office

July 25 - Deputy Pullen along with Deputy Durbin conducted a traffic stop in Inverness Crossing. The 47-year-old male driver was arrested when deputies found that his driver’s license was suspended. Deputies also found a small amount of marijuana inside the vehicle.

July 27 - Deputy Zavorski was dispatched to the 1000 block of Gunnison Drive for a suspicious person. The subject was located on foot and identified. The 52-year-old male from Magnolia showed signs of intoxication and was arrested for Public Intoxication.

July 28 - Deputy Thomas was dispatched to Walnut Creek in regards to a 911 call. Thomas spoke with a 22-year-old male who admitted calling 911 because he wanted his girlfriend to leave. Thomas then saw a bag of marijuana on a chair. The suspect was taken in to custody for Possession of Marijuana.

July 28 - Deputy Provenzano was dispatched to Misty Meadow and FM 1774 in reference to an 18-year-old female laying on the side of the road. When Provenzano arrived, he saw a female walking in the middle of the road trying to fight passing cars. The suspect was taken into custody for Public Intoxication.

July 29 - Deputy Zavorski was dispatched to the 7000 block of Woodland Oaks on a welfare check. A 23-year-old male from Magnolia was located and showed signs of intoxication. He was arrested for Public Intoxication.

July 29 - Deputy Provenzano was dispatched to the Cypress Wood Estates subdivision in reference to family violence. A 35-year-old male was arrested after deputies learned that he assaulted family members.

July 30 - Deputy Thomas was dispatched to the 22000 block of Lantana in regards to a vehicle in the ditch. Upon arrival, Thomas saw a 52-year-old female walking around the vehicle. A check on the subject’s identification showed an active warrant out of Harris County, as well as an active warrant out of Montgomery County. The woman was arrested.

A Magnolia man pleaded guilty of several counts of indecency with a child and online solicitation, during a Montgomery County court appearance July 27.

Nicholas Allen Smith, 23, agreed to the maximum 10 year sentence on four counts of indecency with a child and 20 years for one count of online solicitation of a minor. He was on probation for a previous conviction on two counts of indecency with a child by exposure, in February of 2011.

Prosecutors and investigators said that within two months of Smith’s original plea, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office learned that Smith was continuing inappropriate contact with girls under the age of 17, as well as accessing pornography. Prosecutors filed a motion to revoke Smith’s probation and bond.

“The probation officer and detective working on the case learned that he had a Facebook account under an alias and had friends who appeared to be underage girls,” Nancy Hebert, chief prosecutor of the crimes against children division said. “They sent out messages to the Facebook friends asking them to contact investigators if they had inappropriate contact with Smith. One girl contacted us while several other filed reports.”

Smith pled guilty to meeting a 13-year-old girl from Conroe and her 11-year-old cousin and driving them to his house in Magnolia, in July of 2011. Once at Smith’s home, court records say that Smith played pornographic videos for the girls and exposed himself to them.

The girls’ mothers then contacted deputies after they noticed inappropriate messages on one of the girls’ phones from someone named Nick. An investigation led back to Smith, who was already on probation for indecency with a 13-year-old girl in February of 2011. Detectives said that the phone number Smith used to text the girl in the latest incident was the same number listed when he was booked in jail on the previous charges.

“Detective Christopher Tate (of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office) and probation officer Jay Haak worked extremely hard on this case,” Hebert said. “Of course, the true credit goes to these five brave young girls who were willing to come forward and speak out about what happened.”

“It is a terribly difficult thing to do and required a great deal of courage on their part.”