VAN ZANDT COUNTY (TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH) - A phone call by residents reporting a possible
burglary led authorities to discover a burglary ring, fencing operation,
meth lab and some explosive devices.
Van
Zandt County Sheriff Lindsey Ray said his deputies and officers with
the Canton Police Department were following up on the call Friday about 8
a.m. on County Road 4201.
"The sheriff's office had received a report
that a dark green passenger car reported to be occupied by two men and
two women was observed leaving the area and these individuals may have
possibly just committed a residential burglary. A short time later, a
man later identified as Steven McCarter of Canton was observed by
officers getting into a vehicle matching the description and was
observed by deputies to be in possession of two samurai style swords
which officers suspected may have just been stolen from a nearby
residence," he stated in a press release.
Lindsey
said deputies followed the cat and made contact with McCarter and three
other individuals and learned McCarter had attempted a burglary, but
was scared away by the homeowner. It was also learned there had been
other burglaries in the area.
After obtaining a search warrant
for the residence, deputies found stolen property, items used to melt
copper, methamphetamines, firearms, pipe bombs and bomb making
materials.
Lindsey said his office contacted the Garland Bomb
Squad and the Tyler office of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and
Explosives who responded to the scene.
"Upon arrival the
Garland Bomb Squad confirmed the presence of an active pipe bomb at the
residence and contained and successfully destroyed the device. Along
with the live pipe bomb two other inert devices were also located at the
residence," he said.
Additionally the Van Zandt County Fire
Marshal's Office, the Garland Health and Safety Department was contacted
to inspect chemical agents that were also located on the property.
The
Garland Health and Safety Department was able to take possession of
these hazardous chemicals including a large quantity of mercury.
Van
Zandt County Fire Marshal Chuck Allen located several violations of
water pollution and illegal commercial dumping at the location, and the
property owner was cited for those violations.
As the
investigation continued, new information led authorities to another
residence where they found a large quantity of stolen merchandise, drugs
and firearms and Lindsey said it appeared to be a fencing operation
where stolen property was exchanged for narcotics.
Multiple people were charged in connection with the investigation and they are awaiting arraignment this morning.
Newly
elected Ray stated, "This is an excellent example of what happens when
area law enforcement agencies work well together. Unfortunately our
county is infested with criminals who will not work and all they want to
do is break into homes and steal property from law abiding citizens and
then trade it for dope. The men and women of the Van Zandt County
Sheriff's Office are committed to protecting the property and the homes
of our citizens. It is a difficult job because we are so outnumbered.
It is rewarding, however, to work alongside the other law enforcement
agencies in this county to combat these criminals and their illegal
activities."
ATF Senior resident Agent in Charge, Clay Alexander
said federal charges will not be sought in the case, because the devices
found do not meet the federal guidelines as pertaining to the explosive
devices. Not your typical pipe bomb.
However, he added they can face charges relating to the devices under state laws.
