NCSO News

During this time of year, historically, the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office sees an increase in criminal activity. In an effort to combat this issue, patrol presence will be increased as much as possible to promote safety among drivers, and discourage would-be thieves. In the meantime, here are some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of a burglary or theft.

1. LOCK YOUR DOORS! Our office has investigated countless burglaries/thefts and has recovered several stolen vehicles this year. Get in the habit of locking the doors, not only of your home, but your VEHICLE as well; REMOVE your keys. 95% of all vehicle “burglaries” happen to vehicles that are left unlocked. Generally, thieves are looking for an easy target and may move on if a vehicle is locked. Take items thieves might see as a potential target inside your home, such as purses, firearms, laptops, bags of medication, etc.; or at least lock them in the truck of your car if you are out and have to leave the vehicle unattended for any length of time.
2. Take holiday cards directly to the Post Office; don’t leave them in your mailbox for pickup. Thieves often target mailboxes this time of year looking for cards containing cash, gift cards, checks, etc. Also, watch out for each others mailboxes and immediately report anyone who is seen snooping around them.
3. This holiday season, many people will be ordering gifts online and having them delivered to their homes. Thieves know this and have started following around delivery trucks attempting to pick up items left unattended after delivery. If you cannot be there to receive delivery of an expected package, ask a neighbor to pick it up for you and get it from them when you return home.
4. Don’t leave empty boxes from items received as gifts on the curb for trash pick-up. Break down the boxes and put them inside the trash can. A box left on the side of the road, such as one from a new flat screen TV, serves as a beacon to thieves to let them know you have a nice new TV inside your home.
5. Shut the blinds to your home during the day and when you are away from home, especially those near any Christmas trees. Holiday decorations and Christmas tree lights are beautiful; they also tell would-be thieves where gifts are potentially located inside you home, as most families put gifts under and around their Christmas tree.
6. Register with ReportIt and use the free, secure, online service that allows you to record serial numbers, owner applied numbers, descriptions and upload images for televisions, firearms, laptops, gaming consoles, chainsaws, weed eaters and other valuables. If you ever fall victim to a burglary/theft, the system will allow investigators to search for the stolen items using the variety of parameters you provided.If you prefer not to use the software, take pictures of the serial numbers and items they belong on, such as televisions, firearms, laptops, gaming consoles, chainsaws, weed eaters, and other big ticket items, with your smart phone or camera. Also take pictures of all jewelry. This will aid in an investigation TREMENDOUSLY if you ever fall victim to a burglary/theft. Print out copies and give one to your home owner’s insurance agent to place in your file. This copy will serve as a backup if needed and may aid you in making a claim with the insurance agency if the need ever arises.
7. If you don’t have a residential or business alarm, we urge you to consider getting one. There are many models and options available.
8. Form a Community/Neighborhood Watch. Neighbors banding together to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement will help to intercept would-be thieves BEFORE they can commit a crime in your area. If you live in an unincorporated area of Nolan County and are interested in options available, contact Sergeant Angie Collier or Investigator James Villanueva at (325) 235.5471.
9. Make sure your home and neighborhood is well lit at night. Thieves depend on the cover of darkness to hide their criminal activities. TAKE THAT AWAY FROM THEM! Large street lights and motion sensor lights help to keep would-be thieves out of the shadows and hopefully out of your neighborhood!
10. Call law enforcement IMMEDIATELY to report any/all suspicious activity witnessed in your community/neighborhood by dialing 9-1-1. It could be a thief casing your area for something to steal!

On Friday, November 20, 2015, at approximately 2PM, a minor traffic infraction prompted the stop of a Ford Ranger in Sweetwater, leading to the arrest of the driver, recovery of a stolen vehicle and seizure of a substance determined to be methamphetamine.

A Nolan County deputy stopped a red Ford Ranger driven by Robert Goswick, of Abilene for a minor traffic infraction. While speaking with Goswick, indicators of criminal activity were observed. After conducting a roadside investigation, the deputy discovered the vehicle Goswick was driving had been reported stolen by Stephens County law enforcement.

Goswick was placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where he was charged with the felony offense of Unauthorized Use of Vehicle. Goswick would later be charged with an additional felony offense of prohibited substance in correctional facility. The cases will be filed with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

On Friday, November 13, 2015, at approximately 11PM, a Nolan County deputy stopped a gray Hyundai Veloster driven by Jorje Trevino, of Sweetwater who was accompanied by passenger, Brandi Owens, also of Sweetwater. A roadside investigation was conducted which subsequently lead to the discovery of a small plastic zip baggie containing suspected methamphetamine.

Trevino and Owens were placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where they were charged with the felony offense of possession of methamphetamine. Brandi Owens was charged with an additional felony offense of prohibited substance in correctional facility. The cases will be filed with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

On Friday, November 6, 2015, at approximately 4pm, a pedestrian stop was conducted leading to an arrest and seizure of a substance determined to be methamphetamine.

A Nolan County deputy conducted a pedestrian stop in the 100 block of Hickory where contact was made with Gloria Dye, of Sweetwater. While speaking with Dye, indicators of criminal activity were detected that subsequently lead to the discovery of two small plastic baggies containing a substance determined to be methamphetamine.

A routine driver license inquiry was conducted, and Dye was also found to have an active warrant. Dye was placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where she was charged with the felony offense of possession of methamphetamine, and processed for the warrant. The case will be filed with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

On Monday, October 26, 2015, at approximately 6pm, deputies initiated a traffic stop in the 700 block of Lamar. An investigation was conducted that lead to the warrant arrest of Torionno Terrell Taylor, of Sweetwater and seizure of paraphernalia used in the consumption of methamphetamine.

Halloween is an exciting time of year for children, who can dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, and eat tasty treats.

The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office offers these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.

Walk Safely

• Stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
• Carry a cell phone for quick communication. Make sure children know your cell phone number, their home telephone number, and address in case they get separated or dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
• Put electronic devices away and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Make eye contact with motorists before crossing in front of their vehicles.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
• Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• Watch for vehicles that are turning or backing up; never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
• Teach children to say “NO!” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere or leave with them. Teach children to try everything they can to escape, including yelling, hitting, and kicking.
• Children should not accept anything other than a treat.
• Law enforcement should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

Trick or Treat With an Adult

• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, plan and review a route that is acceptable to you.
• Agree on a specific time when children should return home.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

Keep Costumes both Creative and Safe

• Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have children carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by motorists.

Drive Extra Safely on Halloween

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Eliminate any distractions inside your vehicle so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Healthy Halloween

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage children from filling up on Halloween treats.
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.