Burnet County crimes involve arson case, stolen vehicles and fraud arrests

From staff reports

In a recent crime spate, Burnet County authorities are on the trail of an heirloom thief, a burglary and arson suspect and in unrelated cases have captured two fraud suspects and an alleged vehicle theif involved in a crime ring.

In the heirloom burglary case, BCSO needs the public's help in tracking down some of the stolen items.

Sometime between May 22 and May 30, a burglar broke into an unoccupied home in the 500 block of CR 123 (Tobyville Cemetery Road) and stole several items, according to the Burnet County Sheriff's Office report.

“It was a breaking-and-entry job,” BCSO Capt. Tom Dillard said. “The homeowner had passed away, and the family was dealing with the estate.”

The missing items included:

• 1963 Kay Bass Swingmaster Edition (approximately 6-ft. tall, resembles a cello);

• Tuba Mirafone or Miraphone brand with rotary valves style B double flat;

• Gibson mahogany guitar;

• Silvertone guitar;

• Ship light (approximately 18 by 24 by 18 inches), brass and glass with a circular ring on top for hanging the light;

• Meade telescope with the viewfinder on the top instead of at the end;

• Two 12-inch flat screen televisions – an IDTV and an Emerson;

• Miniature slot machine;

• Wall-mounted pay phone; and

• Several firearms.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the items, call the Burnet County Criminal Investigations Division at 512-756-8080 or offer an anonymous tip to Hill Country Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-(TIPS) 8477 to become eligible for a reward.

In other crime news:

Burglary and Arson 
• Burnet County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an arson and burglary of a habitation where the suspect(s) forced entry into a residence and stole up to 40 guns including both rifles and handguns, according to a statement by the agency. After the burglary was committed the suspect(s) intentionally set fire to the residence, the release stated. On June 12 Hoover Valley VFD and several other agencies responded to the house fire that morning in the 1200 block of County Road 134. The dwelling was unoccupied at the time of the fire and there were no reported injuries. The state fire marshal's office is investigating. Assisting agencies included Cassie VFD, Burnet VFD, Marble Falls VFD and Marble Falls Area EMS. Anonymous tips which become eligible for a reward are welcome by calling Hill Country Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-(TIPS) 8477.

Conterfeit and Stolen Identity Fraud
• On June 12, a Burnet Police officer reported surveillance of a vehicle parked at a residence “known for drug trafficking” and observed a vehicle with suspected false license plates. Officers initiated a traffic stop. The male passenger denied having identification and provided a name and date of birth which was soon discovered to belong to his brother, according to a Burnet PD statement. The alias name provided was attached to an outstanding homicide warrant and unlawful use of a firearm warrant out of Portland, Oregon. His true identity was confirmed as the suspect wanted for homicide, BPD reported. Officers seized items including printers, credit cards, ID’s, altered vehicle titles, gift cards, ledgers full of victim information and card numbers, social security cards, passports, checks, deposit slips with account numbers – not belonging to the suspects. About $1,500 in counterfeit US currency was also seized. Heather Joanne Sparks, 31, and a male suspect who identified himself as both David Remone Jones and Delano Marquis Holloway, in his early 30s; both of Portland, Oregon, were arrested on several fraud charges.

Vehicle Theft and Evading Arrest
• Burnet County Sheriff’s Office investigators assigned to the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force were contacted by the Killeen Police Department on June 13 to assist with possible multiple stolen vehicles and suspects at a location within the City of Killeen, according to a press release by the agency. A dealership in Killeen reported a 2019 Chevrolet pickup stolen, which was equipped with satellite tracking program which pinpointed the vehicle in the area of Cardinal Street and Stewart Street in Killeen. Killeen PD found the stolen truck, which was occupied by a suspect later identified by authorities as William Daniel Miller. He attempted to flee in the truck and immediately crashed into two other vehicles. He then fled on foot and forced entry into two homes, one of which he subsequently set on fire. He then fled the scene of the fire on foot and was apprehended by the Killeen Police K9 Unit. He is now in custody on multiple charges. This scene, and the investigation thereof, resulted in the recovery of 16 stolen vehicles from the Central Texas area and identified six additional suspects.

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