A Houston man faces numerous theft charges following an investigation and execution of a search warrant by the Houston Police Department.
Chief Jim McNiell said James R. Barnett, 41, of 5602 First St. in Houston, is suspected in numerous theft cases dating back to last year. Texas County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Anderson charged Barnett with five counts of receiving stolen property. He is held at the Texas County Jail on $250,000 bond.
McNiell said a search warrant was served last Thursday to look in Barnett’s bedroom at Lakes Residential on First Street, and several items recently reported stolen were found. During the investigation, more goods allegedly swiped by Barnett were discovered in a shed outside the Lakes facility that is used exclusively by him, inside storage units at a U.S. 63 storage facility and at a Houston pawn shop where he reportedly did business.
Barnett is also alleged to have stolen several air conditioning units from a residence and sold parts from them at area scrap shops.
In a written police report, seven theft incidents were identified in which Barnett allegedly swiped a wide range of items, including car stereo gear, commercially produced “moonshine,” a portable grill and metal gas can, tools, gift cards, clothing and bubble machine, household items and tools.
McNiell said the total value of items Barnett is known to have stolen is about $5,000, much of which was taken from a residence owned by a man who lives elsewhere.
As information came in regarding each of the theft cases involved, McNiell said factors mounted that pointed toward Barnett, and a search warrant was obtained.
“When we start having missing items from burglaries or thefts, one of the first things we do is check for surveillance cameras, and we’ve had them at a few places involved in this case,” McNiell said. “We also check pawn shops to see if anything has shown up there and check into any kind of witness information we can. We also keep track of people walking the streets at night when these crimes are occurring.
“That doesn’t mean they’re necessarily committing a crime, we just file the information away and document in logs. Mr. Barnett was a person of interest to us because of his activity and some things that were in his possession that had been pawned.”
McNiell said one thing that helped solve the case was a set of photos provided by a victim that clearly showed six oil lamps that were found during the investigation.
“I can’t tell people how important that is,” McNiell said. “If you have things of value, take pictures of them every so often. It’s outstanding evidence if they’re stolen.”
Texas County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Anderson charged Barnett with five counts of receiving stolen property. He is held at the Texas County Jail on $250,000 bond.
McNiell said Barnett is also a person of interest in several other theft cases still under investigation.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to get actual stealing charges,” McNiell said. “But when someone is in possession of stolen property, they have technically received it and getting those charges isn’t as hard.”