Denton Cops Break Up Alleged Burglary Ring
By OMAR VILLAFRANCA
Updated 11:10 PM CST, Wed, Oct 7, 2009
Denton police say five people have been arrested in connection with a home burglary ring.
Police said flat-screen televisions, video-game systems and even swords were stolen from as many as 13 different locations in Denton County over two months.
Investigators said detectives Jeff Laughlin and Mike Mayfield helped break up the ring. Police said they got a break in the case when a stolen item came up at a pawnshop. Officers were able to trace the information, leading them to four men.
Police later arrested a fifth suspect who is accused of knowingly buying the stolen goods at his resale shop in Trophy Club.
"He knew the guys were actually stealing it and taking the merchandise, knowing it was stolen, and providing them money," Officer Ryan Grelle said.
Police said many of the victims were college students. Investigators said as much as $20,000 in goods were stolen.
"They know that college kids are either going to have a nice TV, or some type of game system," Grelle said.
Chad Foxworth said he came home to an open door after burglars broke into his Denton apartment with a crowbar last month.
"The first thing I noticed when I walked in; I looked at my entertainment center, and my two prize possessions were gone," he said, referring to his Xbox and PlayStation.
Foxworth, who works at a Denton church, didn't have much faith when asked if he thought he'd get his stolen electronics back. But Denton police have recovered several items.
Grelle said the five men face charges of participating in an organized criminal activity charges, which is a first degree felony.
First Published: Oct 7, 2009 9:32 PM CST
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