Published: December 02, 2008 08:57 am      

Man arrested after holiday shopping spree on stolen cash

A Weatherford man was arrested Sunday about an hour after he allegedly stole a woman’s wallet from a local laundry mat, Mineral Wells police officials said.

According to police reports, a woman had placed her wallet on top of a washing machine at Roy’s Wash ‘N Dry at 6 p.m. in the 1500 block of S.E. 1st Street and momentarily turned her back to load laundry. Police Lt. Brad Belz said the woman turned around and her wallet was gone. The wallet contained $900 cash, identifying information and credit cards.

Witnesses provided police with descriptions of the person they believed stole the wallet and his vehicle, Belz said. A police officer proceeded to Wal-Mart, in the 600 block of Farm-to-Market Road 1821, and searched the parking lot. He reportedly discovered a vehicle that matched the one the alleged thief drove away in.

Belz told the Index the officer waited at the vehicle until a man, identified as James Curtis Johnson, 26, reportedly came to the car pushing a cart of toys and clothes. Johnson was reportedly confronted about the theft of the wallet from the laundry mat and authorities learned he’d spent $400 of the cash. He was placed under arrest at 7:51 p.m. Sunday for theft greater than $500 and less than $1,500.

The wallet was reportedly found in the backseat of the car; all of its contents minus the spent cash returned to the owner, authorities said.

Wreck injures man

Taking a dip in the road too fast reportedly sent a Mineral Wells man to the hospital late Friday, authorities reported.

A 1987 Mercury Grand Marquee, driven by Jason Shannon, 34, was traveling westbound on Oaks Crossing Road at approximately 8 p.m. Friday when the car hit a dip in the roadway while traveling at an unsafe speed, Texas Department of Public Safety officials reported.

Shannon reportedly lost control of the vehicle and struck a cement barrier before he skidded across a ditch. The right side of the Mercury struck a tree on the north side of the roadway, according to DPS reports.

The responding officer reported a “strong odor of alcohol” coming from Shannon. The driver was transported by air ambulance to Harris Methodist Hospital with “incapacitating” injuries, according to DPS.

Burglaries

• 200 block of N.E. 3rd Street – A residence was reported burglarized Wednesday with a DVD player and VCR reported stolen. The value of the items is $100.

• 200 block of N.W. 4th Street – An apartment was reported burglarized Wednesday with a recliner, Ipod, 27-inch television, DVD player and electronic picture frame reported stolen.

• 300 block of S.E. 5th Avenue – A home was reported burglarized Sunday with a PlayStation 3, PS3 controllers and cable valued at $640 reported stolen as well as two digital high-definition speakers valued at $1,600 each.

• 3800 block of Ram Boulevard – A vehicle was reported burglarized Saturday with a GAP purse and its contents stolen as well as a $45 silver ring.

Arrests

The Mineral Wells Police Department reported making the following arrests:

• Alfred Aguirre, 17, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Tuesday on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

• Leslie William Carr, 44, of Perrin, was arrested Saturday for public intoxication.

• Berry Jack Fiscus, 33, of Weatherford, was arrested Friday on two MWPD warrants for no insurance and three MWPD warrants for no driver’s license.

• Dustin Ellery Funkhowser, 25, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Sunday for reckless driving.

• Marcus Edward Gutierrez, 29, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Sunday on a MWPD warrant for displaying an expired license plate, a MWPD warrant for no insurance and a MWPD warrant for no vehicle inspection.

• Paul Glenn Harrison, 29, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Thursday for assault–family violence.

• Gilbert Lee Hughes, 42, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Saturday for assault–family violence causing bodily injury.

• Jennifer Marie Lawhorn, 32, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Tuesday on four MWPD traffic warrants.

• Jamie Lee Long, 22, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Thursday for a MWPD warrant for no driver’s license, a MWPD warrant for no insurance, a MWPD warrant for displaying an expired driver’s license and a MWPD warrant for no inspection.

• Concarlos Lopez, 23, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Saturday for public intoxication.

• Daniel Ortega, 22, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Tuesday on an ICE hold.

• Jesse James Ragsdale, 21, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Sunday for no driver’s license and no insurance.

• Rodrigo Morales Rodriguez, 23, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Tuesday on an ICE hold.

• Guadalupe Lucio Tamez, 62, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Tuesday for assault-family violence causing bodily injury.

• Jose Daniel Vargas, 42, of Conroe, was arrested Saturday for public intoxication.