Friday, November 13, 2020
Thursday morning started with a bang at the Bank of Montgomery in Many. At 4 a.m., an alarm company notified Sabine Parish Dispatch of a burglar alarm at the bank on Hwy. 171 Bypass in Many and officers arrived on the scene within two to three minutes.
An investigation found evidence of three subjects wearing masks and gloves, who broke into the ATM located in the drive-thru area of the bank. They pried open the doors of the ATM, then used a white Ford F-250 and chain to rip the inside door from the machine. The truck was reported stolen from Harris County, TX – Houston area – on Monday, Nov. 9.
In only about 2 and one-half minutes, the suspects were able to retrieve two money boxes containing an undetermined amount of cash. Then, their truck became stuck in the mud and the three suspects fled on foot across Hwy. 171 Bypass toward the railroad tracks. Empty money boxes were recovered near some storage buildings on Sycamore St.
The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to assist and deployed a K9 unit, but no suspects were located. SPSO detective units also responded to assist in the investigation.
Investigators believe a second vehicle was involved to pick up the suspects.
It appears, by the suspects’ methods, they are likely tied to a large gang from the Houston, TX area. Law enforcement has been in contact with other agencies that have experienced recent ATM robberies as well.
In addition to working with other in-state and out-of-state agencies, the FBI was contacted for provide further assistance. This is common practice when dealing with gang-affiliated crimes that cross state lines.
If anyone has any information, including video footage, please share it with the Many Police Dept. at (318) 256-5617. They are investigating with help from the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, which may be reached at (318) 256-9241.
J. J. Blake, right, of Community Bank of Louisiana attended the big 40th Anniversary of the Sabine Free State Festival poster unveiling on Monday, Nov. 2. He is shown here with this year’s poster and the reigning 2020 Sabine Free State Queen Hannah Hall. Observations got to stop by the festival Saturday, and we doff our hats to Kelly and Clancey Stewart and all the fine folks who make it happen. It is a great local, family event, well worth everyone’s support.
Speaking of, a big draw to the Sabine Free State Festival was an Open House held at the historic Dover House, which has been renovated by Louise Thaxton. Ms. Thaxton went first class all the way on it and visitors have been raving about her wonderful efforts.
Robbie Edwards, owner of Southern Ladeez in Many, who painted two paintings which now hang in the historic home enthused, “If you know of the Dover House in Florien, LA, you may know some of its history. If not, you need to visit. Built in 1920, it was falling into ruin, but was brought back to its grandest by… Louise Thaxton and many helpers. I visited the Open House tonight, and the pictures I took don’t do it justice!”
The house will operate as a Bed and Breakfast and will also serve as a venue for parties, showers, wedding vows and more. Many of the home’s elaborate furniture pieces are original.
Thank you to Robbie Edwards for use of her beautiful photos.
Unofficial returns showed that 10,596 persons in Sabine Parish voted for President in the Nov. 3 election. There are a total of 15,107 registered voters in the parish, according to our new Registrar of Voters Zach Faircloth. He told Observations there were 3,215 early voters and 660 absentee ballots that were returned. He said there are currently 930 in the absentee program.
When all the lawlessness started in the big cities of our nation earlier this year, I told friends that if elected officials continued to let the thugs get by with it, that the matter would deliver the message to go ahead and continue because no one is going to do anything to stop it or bring to justice the criminals involved. My second point was that it would continue to filter to other areas of the country. To make bad matters worse, criminal elements parading as Black Lives Matter along with ANTIFA have taken over the lawlessness. And, sadder still, somebody is putting up the money for these outlaws to riot, burn, loot and shoot.
And on top of all of that, some of the idiots continue to call for defunding of the Police. Don’t they realize the Police are the only thing standing between an orderly society and continued lawlessness?
We see the problem taking an upturn right here in Sabine Parish. Look at what happened at the Bank of Montgomery early Thursday morning.
A gentleman from Many came in my office Thursday to report that his home had been burglarized at least twice. And there have been more burglaries throughout the parish. Let’s look at a few.
Last week on Nov. 6, Charles Sanderson who lives at 2701 Cassell Loop off Hwy. 191 between Noble and the Crossroads found that something like $20,000 worth of tools had been stolen from his place. He was last at his place on Nov. 3. It was reported to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office that a light blue or navy blue vehicle was seen in the area. Deputy Todd McNeely is heading up the investigation which is still underway. Crime Stoppers of Sabine is offering up to a $500 cash reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone who has information can call (318) 256-4511 or the Sheriff’s Department at (318) 256-9241.
Also on Nov. 6, shortly after 1 p.m., neighbors reported a burglary at a home located at 6139 Hwy. 174, east of Pleasant Hill. The folks who owned the brick house lived in Lafayette but had an alarm system at the house which alerted their phone as the burglary was taking place. They called a neighbor to check into the matter and they called Chief Deputy Brad Walker to report a burglary in progress. He immediately dispatched patrol cars to the area. The neighbor saw the two subjects leaving the house and gave a description of them, and their vehicle.
One of the patrol units passed the getaway vehicle between Marthaville and Belmont on Hwy. 120. A pursuit started. After about a 15-mile chase that led to the Marthaville-Many Road, the couple was apprehended in a wooded area off the Cedar Grove Rd., according to Deputy Walker.
Arrested were Timothy Griffin and Erica Jenkins, both of DeSoto Parish. Deputies found the purse of the victim, which was thrown out of their vehicle window, but not a pistol believed stolen.
The couple was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, possessing stolen items, trespassing, burglary, theft of a firearm and criminal damage to property.
The Sabine Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team and Pleasant Hill Chief of Police Ray Williams took part in the investigation and arrest.
Another case: Brandon James Corley, 21, of Florien has been charged with possession of stolen things over $10,000. He was in possession of a stolen side-by-side belonging to Ken Fakouri who has a place on Hwy. 6 West of Many. Corley is well known to law enforcement officers, having eluded them and escaped at least twice. A lot of four-wheelers and side-by-sides have been reported stolen of late.
Further, a close friend who lives near where I grew up in Bethany Community near Marthaville was recently telling me that someone brazenly entered his home last Father’s Day, taking medicine from the home and other items while he was away. More recently, this friend and his wife were settled in watching TV one evening while unbeknownst to them, thieves removed a bedroom air conditioner window unit, crawled into their home and prowled inside, apparently looking for prescribed medicines – all while this gentleman and his wife were watching TV a few rooms away!
The big lesson to be learned from all this is that we are living in different times than we were a year or two ago. And the way things are going, it is not immediately going to get better. What once seemed only to happen in larger cities is now happening in small towns and out in the country. Look at the possible gang members from Houston who came to the Bank of Montgomery Many branch. Hats doffed to the Many Police Department for answering the call in less than three minutes. They were on the ball.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and Deputy Walker point out the importance of members of the general public helping them. Anytime you see something suspicious, report it to the Sheriff’s Office. Cases have been solved because an alert member of the public reported something they saw. So report it, even if you think it may not be important.
The second thing citizens can do is install camera systems on their homes and other places they own. “Persons need to get a system that not only records, but also will notify them by phone if any activity is going on around their home or place,” Deputy Walker said.
He continued, “We would like to get a list of everyone who has a camera at their home. That way if there is a crime in that area, we could look at [all] the video to see if it might contain any evidence. A camera system is very important.” He pointed out that the Sheriff’s Department does not monitor personal cameras, but only likes to know where they are located in case they might contain something that would help solve a crime at some point.
Sheriff Mitchell, Deputy Walker and the staff of the Sheriff’s Department are working very hard to try to put a stop to crime and drug abuse. Remember to help them with a tip if you have one. Their number is (318) 256-9241.
We were very happy, but not at all surprised to read this heartfelt post on social media recently posted by Natalie Neugent of Noble. It began, “BRAG POST!”
“Saturday evening, Jeremy calls me and says they’re going to discharge him from the hospital!
“He tells me where to pick up his meds, I head there… they don’t have [it.] I’m thinking, ‘By the time I go to get him, they should have it ready and we’ll be on our way.’ So, I go to the hospital, pick him up, and head back. Get there, they’re getting ready to close and still have no record of his meds.
“I have a written script for a pain med, so I ask if she can at least fill that one. They’re out!! ‘What? How the h*** are you out of a pain med?’ I go across the street to a different pharmacy… ‘We’re out!!’ What are the chances? By this time, I have no idea what I’m gonna do.
“After several phone calls and texts, I get in touch with Mrs. Leslie Founds Curtis at Curtis Family Pharmacy. Let me tell you, she was like a beacon of light on a dark road. Jeremy had already told me to just take him back to the hospital because we knew he couldn’t make it through the night without his meds. Mr. Ronnie [at Curtis Pharmacy] not only opened up at 8 at night, but waited on my momma to get there.
“You always hear people say, ‘Be the Light!’ Well I just can’t say enough about how they were our light Saturday night. If you’re satisfied with your pharmacy, by all means stick with them, but if you’re not, give Curtis Family Pharmacy a chance! You won’t regret it!”
That’s all for this Friday lagniappe edition. As always, appreciate your faithful readership. I love to hear from you, so feel free to be in touch. Call me at (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com.
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