Couple arrested in trailer thefts

June 15, 2009 09:15 pm

— By Janet Jacobs
Daily Sun

A traffic stop on Thursday resulted in the recovery of at least $30,000 in stolen equipment and the solution of at least five property crimes in Corsicana, according to a release from the Corsicana Police Department.
The traffic stop was made by Capt. Kenneth Kirkwood around 1 a.m. Thursday on West Highway 22 when he noticed a pickup truck pulling a gooseneck trailer without any tail lights. After stopping the truck, he discovered the license tag was from a trailer reported stolen three days earlier from J&S Plumbing, 300 E. Third Ave. in Corsicana.
Two people were arrested in the stop: Ryan Rogers, 33; and Patricia Mathis, 26, both from Scurry, Texas.
That same day, the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant of Rogers’ residence and turned up several allegedly stolen items, according Pat Laney, spokeswoman for David Byrnes, Kaufman County Sheriff.
Located on the site were a 2007 CON AM 4-wheeler, a yellow Tarramite utility trailer, and a black gooseneck low-boy trailer, and a trench-digger, all estimated to be worth about $25,000, according to Laney.
One of the trailers is believed to belong to J&S Plumbing. The four-wheeler is believed to be one stolen from Blakes Boats, 1200 S. Seventh St.
Another trailer, which was allegedly stolen from Haynie Drilling Co., 1725 U.S. 287, was recovered in Gun Barrel City, with the assistance of Henderson County Sheriff’s deputies.
Corsicana Police Department Det. Jason Grant is the investigator on the case. As the case unfolded, he realized that the first trailer wasn’t stolen from J&S, although the license tag was, explained LaDena Baggett, assistant chief.
“The tag was off another trailer, but at the time we didn’t know that,” she said.
That trailer and the 750-gallon tank being towed out of town Thursday morning is believed to be the one stolen Wednesday night from Olsen Feed and Lawn Care, 220 E. Collin St.
The original charges against Rogers were dismissed, since the license tag and trailer didn’t match, but he has been subsequently charged with two counts of theft over $1,500 and less than $20,000. Additional charges could be filed depending on how the investigation continues. Mathis was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance under one gram.
Anyone with additional information regarding any trailer thefts should contact Det. Grant at (903) 654-4913.
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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com

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