Unauthorized Use of Vehicles
During the night hours of September 14th and 15th, numerous businesses in the northern section of Tom Green County were broken into. The suspects committed acts of felony criminal mischief and stole three vehicles from the businesses.
On September 14th, two subjects broke into a locked and fenced business yard located in the 5900 block of US Hwy 87 North. The two suspects entered the property and began looking through vehicles and attempted to unlock the gate. The two suspects stole two pickup trucks from the property and drove the trucks through the locked gate. The two stolen pickup trucks were recovered abandoned in the 400 block of 28th Street in San Angelo, Texas at 8:30 a.m. on September 14, 2016. Tom Green County Crime Scene personnel recovered relevant evidence from the stolen vehicles. The same night another business located near the previously mentioned business was also broken into. Two subjects were observed on video surveillance entering the locked property and going through vehicles and trailers. Owners of the business did not report any items being stolen. Two additional businesses in the same area had their locked front gates run through by a vehicle. The businesses did not report anything of value being stolen. Damage to the two gates was valued at approximately $1,000.00.
During the night time hours of September 15th, a business in the 6400 block of U.S. Hwy 87 was broken into. When employees arrived for work, they discovered someone had driven through the locked front gate to the business. Employees then discovered a pickup truck had been stolen from the business. The vehicle was valued at $10,500.00, and the damage to the gate was estimated to be $3,500.00. The stolen vehicle from the business was recovered in the 900 block of 37th Street, San Angelo, Texas at approximately 10:00 a.m. Tom Green County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene personnel arrived on scene and recovered relevant evidence in the case.
The Tom Green County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division initiated an investigation into the multiple offenses of Criminal Mischief, Unauthorized Use of Vehicles and Vehicle Burglaries. Investigators developed information and evidence in the cases along with suspects.
On 9-15-2016, JAMES DOUGLAS BRADLEY, age 19, was arrested and charged with the offense of Unauthorized use of a Vehicle for one of the vehicle thefts. On 9-16-2016, MICHAEL DARWIN CHAPPELL, age 18, and was arrested and charged in two Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle for his part in the theft of vehicles on both nights. RANDLE GAGE LITTLEFIELD, age 19, was arrested on 9-19-2016 and charged with one count of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.
Investigators are continuing with this investigation, and additional charges could be filed involving some of the same suspects in similar reported vehicle thefts that occurred in the City of San Angelo.
Sheriff Jones is reminding community members and businesses to LOCK, SECURE doors, windows, REMOVE all valuables, and REMOVE the keys on all unattended vehicles.
