Small Town News

Six nabbed in theft ring

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A lengthy investigation into a wave of car burglaries in the Kyle and Buda area helped police nab six suspects in an identity theft and counterfeiting ring, Hays County Sheriff's Office officials said.

This spring detectives Kelly Woodard and Angelo Floiran began investigating the vehicle break-ins and tracing the use of credit cards and other personal information stolen from the cars.

Both detectives, with help from other law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Secret Service, then executed search warrants, officials said.

In May, a south Austin residence was raided and police accused Kandace Ann Chris-tensen, 29, of making her own checks and ID cards. She was later arrested for theft and released on a $5,000 bond.

After hearing reports of counterfeit $100 bills being passed at a local fireworks stand in late June, authorities searched a small trailer at the Plum Creek RV Park near Kyle and recovered about $3,000 worth of counterfeit $100 bills and a stolen gun. The trailer's resident, Tanya Bostic, 25, and Green Pastures resident Stephen Barham, 28, were ar-, rested.

Bostic is charged with two counts of forgery and is still in Hays County Jail on a $15,000 bond while Barham also faces two counts of forgery and possession of marijuana and is in jail on a $17,500 bond, officials said.

In July, another south Austin home was searched on suspicion of credit/debit card raud. Detectives confiscated computers, a stolen vehicle used in the car burglaries, items used in the credit/debit card abuse and information linking them to the counterfeiters. Robert Ransom Morgan, 50, and Jacquelyn Starry Montoya, 40, were arrested.

Morgan and Montoya were charged with credit card abuse and have been released from jail on $20,000 bonds.

Kayla Roberts was also arrested during the raid for an outstanding warrant from another county on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. Her status is unknown, officials said.

Detectives then received information other associates of Morgan and Montoya that resulted in a search warrant being served at 140 Oak Ridge near Dripping Springs. Several suitcases of stolen mail, computers, guitars and two high-definition TVs were seized.

Authorities believe that the guitars and TVs were purchased through illegal activity.

The confiscated computers are being analyzed by the U.S. Secret Service and additional arrests are pending.

"This is an ongoing investigation and more charges could be filed," said Sheriff's Office spokesperson Lt. Leroy Opiela.



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© 2009 The Free Press Buda, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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