Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard announced on Thursday that items allegedly stolen in the Brookeland Area have been located in Magnolia Springs and a suspect arrested in connection with the case.
Havard said the investigation began on Tuesday when a representative of the Brookeland Independent School District reported thefts on school property including a utility vehicle.
Havard said that after reviewing photos and other evidence Investigator Calvin Starkie not only identified a suspect in the case, but also began to link that suspect to other similar crimes in the area. During his investigation, he was able to tie the suspect to several more thefts and burglaries.
According to Havard, Starkie later received information on the location of some of the stolen items leading he to put together a team which consisted of Texas Game Warden Brooks Yeates, Jasper PD Detective Robert Twine and JCSO investigators traveled to a residence off of FM 252 in Magnolia Springs where they recovered the utility vehicle that was reported stolen.
Investigator Starkie placed Dustin Harry Jackson, 33, and James Ryan Smith, 25, both of Brookeland, under arrest for theft (SJF). Havard said that in addition Smith was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (F3), and Possession of Marijuana (MB) and transported to the Jasper County Jail. More charges may be pending as the investigation continues. The Utility Vehicle will be returned to BISD within the next day or two.
Havard said, "Additionally, we would like to sincerely thank Texas Game Warden Brooks Yeates, and Jasper PD Detective Robert Twine for their help. Both of these individuals were a tremendous asset and worked tirelessly to assist Investigator Starkie. Investigator Starkie worked many hours on this case in the last 48 hours. He is one of the best investigators in the state and he is relentless. Once he’s on you, you’re got. I can’t thank him enough for the work he does on behalf of the citizens of our county and our Sheriff’s Office. We appreciate you Calvin. These two are right where they belong, in our jail," Havard said.
https://www.kjas.com/news/local_news/article_94e2cbf8-ff35-424b-aaf2-1dd1ed4c18b2.html