(Letters to the Editor - Disclaimer - To be considered for publication, letters to the editor must include the writer's full name, address and daytime phone number. No more than two post per month per person. Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the views of Shelby County Today)
Dear Sheriff:
July 21, 2017 - As you know, a couple of weeks ago, in the middle of the night, a thief broke into a locked building and stole two Honda four-wheelers. Luckily, we had put up some trail cameras inside and around the building and we got a lot of photos of this thief in action. He was dressed in camo and wearing combat boots and one thing really stood out — on his hip was a high caliber pistol. So, this guy was committing a crime armed with a weapon.
We gave the photos to Lt. Kevin Windham, who headed up the investigation, assisted by Deputy Curtis Lawrence. Lt. Windham was able to identify the guy and locate him. He had lived in the Rolling Hills area, but moved to Panola County, and was on probation there (what a surprise). The Lieutenant obtained a warrant and he was arrested in Panola County. After he was transported back to Shelby County, he denied committing the crime. He was shown the photographs and soon after a confession was forthcoming. He also told Lt. Windham and the deputies where he had hidden one of the four-wheelers and who he had sold the other one to. Your deputies recovered both of the stolen four-wheelers and returned them to me yesterday.
When a crime occurs, the victim wants immediate action and an arrest. Not all criminal activity can be solved and it is very frustrating to the victim who then may speak out against law enforcement. But, not this time!
I want to congratulate the Shelby County Sheriffs office for doing a fine job from beginning to end and I am most appreciative. Clearly, they worked hard on this, and Kept me posted almost daily. Most importantly, they got this gun toting clown captured and in custody where he belongs, so he won't be out there stealing and pulling his gun on residents of Shelby County. So, I say, job well done!
C. Scott Massey
