Wood County Sheriff’s Report

Posted 5/20/21

May 3

Sgt. Austin Milbourn was performing traffic control in the area of SH 154 and FM 1483 after a large tree fell across the roadway as a result of recent storms. A vehicle traveling at …

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Wood County Sheriff’s Report

Posted

May 3

Sgt. Austin Milbourn was performing traffic control in the area of SH 154 and FM 1483 after a large tree fell across the roadway as a result of recent storms. A vehicle traveling at highway speed had to abruptly stop to avoid hitting emergency vehicles with lights activated parked at the scene. Milbourn noted the car’s driver had bloodshot, glassy eyes, and an odor of marijuana was emitting from the car. The driver admitted to drinking and smoking and admitted there was marijuana inside the vehicle. Field sobriety tests were administered which resulted in the driver’s arrest. The vehicle was released to the female passenger. Dustin Santizo Samoyoa, 20, of Tyler was cited for driving under the influence-minor and was jailed on a charge of possession of marijuana, less than two ounces. 

May 4

Deputy Jon Ritterbach took a report of a dog bite at a residence on CR 2100. A 65-year-old man sustained damage to his nose, mouth and chin. The man was at the residence to check on a church parishioner when the dog jumped up to “say hello” and inadvertently scraped the man’s face with his teeth. The man received treatment at the hospital. The dog was found to be current on its rabies vaccination and will home quarantine for 10 days.

May 5

Deputy Cole Hudson was dispatched to Pay ‘N’ Save in Alba for an assault on PR 5883. Hudson met with the victim who had been bandaged by an Alba police officer. The female victim stated her boyfriend had arrived home intoxicated and she noticed damage to his truck. Upon asking what happened to his truck, the male suspect asked the woman to leave but took her phone and purse. An altercation ensued during which the woman was placed in a choke-hold. The woman also suffered a deep laceration on her arm. The woman declined EMS but stated she did wish to pursue charges. Attempts to locate the suspect were unsuccessful. The woman relocated to her son’s house for the night.  

Sgt. Heather Bailey took a report of fraud from a Winnsboro woman. The victim stated she had been made aware that someone had opened fraudulent accounts in her name. An incident report was completed. 

Deputy Linda Williams was dispatched to CR 1750 for a report of animal cruelty regarding five horses. Williams noted that one appeared to be a much older horse that was thin. The other four appeared healthy. The horses had food and water accessible. Speaking with the horses’ owner, Deputy Williams learned the older horse struggled with digestive problems and was vetted regularly. An incident report was completed and this case was closed. 

May 6

Deputy Williams took a report of criminal mischief in the Yantis area. The Blue Ice Machine at FM 515 and FM 17 had been defaced. Unknown person(s) had written a derogatory comment in black marker on the machine. The owner advised clean up would be easy but did wish to pursue charges if a suspect was identified. Photographs were taken and the case remains open.

Deputy Corbin Hanner took a report of a dog bite on CR 4837. A 12-year-old female was bit on the inside upper arm and hand by her neighbor’s dog. The girl reportedly chased the dog and grabbed its collar prior to being bitten. The dog’s owner provided current vaccination records. The child was taken to the hospital for treatment.

May 7

Sgt. Milbourn and Deputy David Tipps responded to a report of a disturbance on CR 2540. A Jeep had been crashed into a tree on private property. The car’s occupant explained that the driver had been drinking and suddenly started “acting crazy” and crashed the Jeep into a tree on their landlord’s property. The driver was arrested after he made threatening comments to the property owner. Randy Carl Potter, 27, of Mineola was charged with assault by threat. He was transported to jail without incident.

Deputy Dustin Green took a report of theft from a resident of Holiday Villages. The man stated things have been missing at his house for the past two weeks. The stolen items include cash, fishing equipment and tools. This case was forwarded to an investigator.

Deputy Ritterbach was dispatched to a residence on CR 4510 in the Winnsboro area for a disturbance. The reporting party stated she was in the process of moving out of her boyfriend’s parent’s house when an argument ensued over her asking the boyfriend for money to buy diapers for their child. The boyfriend became enraged and put a 4’ piece of PVC pipe through the woman’s car’s window. The woman also claimed to have been held down on the bed and choked during the melee. Despite her claim, the woman refused to complete paperwork in the Family Violence Packet, stating she did not want the man to go to jail. She also recanted her story of him putting his hands around her neck. The woman’s family arrived and helped her move her belongings. This case has been forwarded to investigations for further review.

May 8

Deputy Ritterbach took a report of theft of fencing material from a resident of CR 3580. About 110’-130’ of fencing material had been taken. Information was provided to the deputy regarding the description of a suspect vehicle as well as the occupants. This case has been forwarded to investigations and remains open. 

Deputy Jonah Croney took a report of a dog bite on CR 3940. A five year old male child sustained bite injuries to his cheek. The mother reported he had been playing with a chow on the back patio when he pulled the dog’s tail causing the dog to bite. Unable to provide proof of rabies vaccination, the parents were issued a citation for failure to vaccinate. The dog will be home quarantined for 10 days.

Deputy Croney was dispatched to the FM 49 area of Mineola for loose livestock. A horse had escaped its pen and was in a neighbor’s back yard. While Croney attempted to locate an open gate, the horse managed to get to FM 49 and continued to the corner of FM 49 and FM 312 where it entered the substation yard. The horse was retrieved by a roper and transported to the Winnsboro Sale Barn. 

 May 9

Just before 1 a.m., Deputy Dustin Green initiated a traffic stop after observing a vehicle fail to signal a turn. During a consensual search of the driver, Green found a round black container which contained suspected methamphetamine. The driver was taken into custody and a probable cause search of his vehicle was completed. Drug paraphernalia was found. Clifford Alan Plant, 61, of Winnsboro was charged with possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1, one gram or more, but less than four grams. 

Just before 1:30 a.m., Deputy Tipps initiated a traffic stop after observing a vehicle with an expired temporary tag and a defective brake lamp showing white light to the rear. The driver was found to have no valid driver’s license. He was placed under arrest and a wrecker was dispatched for the car. During an inventory of the vehicle, prior to its removal, a pill container was located which was found to contain suspected methamphetamine. Also located was a glass pipe with suspected meth residue. James Mancini McEntire, 51, of Hawkins was arrested and charged with possession of controlled substance, penalty group 1, less than one gram. A verbal warning was given for the initial violation. 

Deputy Andrew Rapp was dispatched to the Budget Inn on Hwy. 80 near Mineola for criminal mischief. The owner stated the door to one of the motel’s rooms had been kicked in by a man during an altercation between the man and a female occupant. The owner advised the replacement cost for the door is $230 plus labor. This case has been forwarded for additional investigation.  

May 10

Deputy Michael Allison took a theft report from a Mineola woman who stated she had ordered a Straight Talk cell phone, valued at $65, and the phone was to have been delivered in November 2020. The woman received a message from FedEx that her phone had been delivered to her address, but she was unable to locate it. The woman stated she had been in contact with Straight Talk during the last few months and simply wanted to make a report for the purpose of receiving a replacement phone. An incident report was completed for documentation purposes and the case was closed.

May 11

Deputy Williams took a report of identity theft from a Yantis woman. The woman advised someone had opened three accounts in her name. Williams gathered information regarding the fraudulent accounts and completed an incident report for documentation purposes.

May 12

Deputy Croney took a report of forgery from a Hawkins man. The victim stated he had discovered four blank checks had been stolen. The discovery was made after two unauthorized checks had been cashed on his account totaling $400. The man was able to provide information regarding suspects. This case has been forwarded for additional investigation.