October 22, 2020 - Officers responded to Center Auto Repair in reference to a concerned citizen reporting that there was suspicious activity on the morning of October 17, 2020 around 5:50 am. The caller believed that two individuals may have been breaking into a vehicle on the property. Officers arrived and was unable to located any persons on the property but found a truck with the engine still running.
Corporal S. Thornburgh, while in route to assist his Officers observed a gold colored Ford F-250 backed up to the ATM machine located at 111 Selma Street (Shelby Savings Bank). Corporal Thornburgh made contact with an unknown individual to investigate the suspicious activity. The individual immediately began to run. After a brief foot pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody.
Corporal Thornburgh observed several tools that were used to break into the machine as well as a chain and tow hook attached to the rear of the truck. Corporal Thornburgh then contacted the Center Police Department's Street Crimes Division to respond and assist with the investigation.
Detective Sergeant R. King arrived to process the scene and interview suspects who were in custody. After lengthy interviews it was found that this attempted ATM theft was one of many that are well organized by a large group of individuals from the Houston area. This investigation is ongoing and there are several Felony Arrest Warrants pending. The agencies with proper jurisdiction are communicating and will continue to investigate.
(From left) Robert Washington, Jr. and Paul Benjamin Madison
Paul Benjamin Madison, 18, was arrested for Theft of Property (Felony 2), Theft of Property (State Jail Felony), and Evading Arrest (M-B}. Also arrested was Robert Washington Jr., 18, who was involved in the thefts. Both individuals were the suspects in the burglaries of motor vehicles in the city as well.
October 19, 2020 - Center Police Officers responded to a call on Austin Street in Center at a business near Shelby Savings Bank on Sunday, October 18, 2020.
At the scene it appeared a delivery van belonging to the business was broken into, and someone attempted to steal the vehicle in a manner very much like the truck involved in the attempted theft at the bank.
Although it wasn't obvious when the vehicle break-in happened, officers investigated the scene and appeared to be working to lift fingerprint evidence from the vehicle.
At this time, the Center Police Department is not releasing any information relating to the bank incident citing an ongoing investigation.
October 17, 2020 - Shelby Savings Bank in Center was the scene of an attempted ATM theft Saturday morning, October 17, 2020.
Sometime around 5:50am, Center Police Department officers were called to the parking lot of a nightclub on Southview Circle (U.S. Highway 96 South) where a white pickup truck was apparently sitting in the parking lot running.
When officers arrived at that scene they discovered the 2003 Ford Super Duty F-250 truck was running and the drivetrain was detached.
Shortly after, officers discovered a theft in progress at Shelby Savings Bank located at 111 Selma Street. A tan 2001 Ford Super Duty F-250 pickup truck was backed up to the ATM, with a chain attached to the rear of the pickup truck and the front of the ATM was open.
The officers were able to place one individual immediately in custody, and a second one allegedly fled the scene in a black sedan. Texas DPS State Troopers caught up to the black car at Tyson on Shelbyville Street, where the second suspect was apprehended.
It was confirmed the pickup truck left backed up to the ATM machine at Shelby Savings Bank had been taken from a mechanic shop on Southview Circle, and the white truck located in the nightclub parking lot had also originally been in the mechanic shop lot.
Additional information on the suspects and charges will be updated as it's made available by the Center Police Department.
