Structure Fire in Bastrop Destroys Homes, Several Cars
The Bastrop Advertiser
• A fire in the 200 block of LBA Drive, north of Bastrop, destroyed a home under construction, damaged another residence, and burned other structures and four cars on the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 15, according to Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 2 Fire Chief Josh Gill. Gill said a resident at 281 LBA Drive was burning trash outside the home Sunday when it got out of control and spread to a home under construction in the backyard as well as to another residence at an adjoining property on Longshadow Drive. At least two other structures, such as sheds, on the property at 281 LBA Drive were also destroyed. The unoccupied home under construction was destroyed, Gill said, and the residence at 110 Longshadow Drive was moderate to heavily damaged. The family that lived at the Longshadow Drive home was displaced and is temporarily staying with relatives and friends. The resident at 281 LBA Drive was issued a citation. Bastrop County is under a burn ban.
The Navasota Examiner
• Navasota Police Chief Shawn Myatt said at approximately 10:25 a.m. Tues., Nov. 10, Navasota Police Department (NPD) was notified by College Station Police Department (CSPD) that a vehicle stolen from College Station was possibly in Navasota. CSPD said they used GPS to track the stolen 2015 BMW into Navasota city limits. NPD located the vehicle in the 500 block of Laredo St. The driver Andrew Guitron, age 18, noticed officers and fled in the vehicle. Officers pursued the vehicle through downtown and west on Texas State Highway 105 toward Brenham. The chase continued nearing Brenham city limits. Before crossing the city line, the vehicle turned around and headed east on Hwy. 105 back toward Navasota. Officers continued the pursuit to the 700 block of 8th St. in Navasota. The suspects bailed from the vehicle while it was still moving then fled on foot. Both suspects were located and arrested. Myatt said the vehicle was heading toward a creek but came to a stop when it struck a tree. No injuries were sustained but there was front end damage to the vehicle. Guitron was charged with evading arrest in a motor vehicle, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance penalty group 1 (1-4 grams), and evading arrest on foot. The passenger Andrew Lamont Terrell Jr., age 23, is charged with evading arrest on foot, possession of a controlled substance penalty group 1 (less than 1 gram), tampering with evidence, and resisting arrest. Both suspects were transported and booked into the Grimes County Jail. CSPD Investigators were summoned to the scene to take possession of the stolen vehicle.
• Tony Bolden, age 17 from Navasota, attempted to escape custody by fleeing from officers while being seen at CHI St. Joseph Grimes Hospital in Navasota. Navasota Police Chief Shawn Myatt stated on Nov. 11 officers were called to the 1600 block of Stacey St. to serve a warrant on Bolden. He had outstanding warrants for evading on foot and criminal mischief. Officers took Bolden into custody and transported him to CHI St. Joseph Grimes Hospital in Navasota for medical clearance prior to being transported to the Grimes County Jail. While at the hospital Bolden escaped custody and fled on foot. Officers pursued Bolden for several blocks and took him back into custody in the 1200 block of Water St. Bolden was additionally charged with escape and resisting arrest.
The Gonzales Inquirer
• San Antonio oilman Brian Alfaro was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison Tuesday by a federal judge following a two-year investigation into allegations of fraud. Court filings show that in February, Alfaro was convicted by a federal jury of eight counts of mail fraud. According to a release from the Department of Justice U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Texas, the evidence presented during the trial showed Alfaro offered an opportunity to invest in Gonzales County gas and oil prospects. These prospects included the Screaming Eagle 4H, Screaming Eagle 6H, and Black Hawk Horizontal Buda #1. Investors mailed checks to Alfaro’s oil company, Primera, in San Antonio. Further evidence provided during the trial indicated that these funds were used to fund extravagant purchases for Alfaro, such as $100,000 San Antonio Spurs season tickets and luxury vehicles. FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs said Alfaro’s deception left his victims struggling. “While some of his victims were wealthy investors, others trusted Alfaro with their entire life savings and will likely struggle financially for the rest of their lives,” Combs said. “The sentence handed down today should serve as a warning to others who seek to victimize and betray investors in our community.”
The Bellville Times
• When a 40 ft. long vehicle with the lettering on the side says “ATF Crime Gun Intelligence Mobile Command” and then it also says “National Integrated Ballistic Information Network” slowly rolls into Bellville and sets up shop near City Hall it raises some eyebrows. On Nov. 6 the Alcohol Tobacco Firearms Crime Gun Intelligence Mobile Command was there to increase its database by inputting bullet casings from confiscated firearms into its system. The vehicle also consists of a small, soundproof room, where bullets are fired safely and the shell casings are gathered. It will take several days to determine if there are any matches.
The Brenham Banner-Press
• The former president of Blue Bell Creameries Paul Kruse needs to have charges dismissed by the end of Dec. to avoid facing a jury trial set to begin at 9 a.m. on Jan. 11, 2021. Kruse has been indicted on wire fraud and conspiracy charges in connection with the 2015 listeria outbreak. If a plea bargain or plea agreement is not finalized on or before Dec. 28 in writing to the court then Kruse will face a jury. Kruse entered a “not guilty” plea during his virtual arraignment on Nov. 12 and he remains free on a $50,000 appearance bond which restricts his travel.
Lexington Leader
• On Nov. 12 at 2:35 p.m. DPS Trooper Richard Dozier was dispatched to a car versus 18-wheeler accident on Hwy 77 near the south intersection of Loop 123. Jamyee Lynn Dentler of Rockdale was traveling southbound on Hwy. 77 in the outside lane in a 2020 Chevrolet and at the same time Jonathan Ross Burt of Weatherford was also driving southbound behind Dentler in a 2007 Peterbilt big truck towing a large livestock trailer. Dentler slowed down and traveled briefly on the southbound shoulder and then attempted to make a U-turn into the northbound lanes. Burt, being close behind Dentler, attempted to take evasive action by braking and veering to the left, however, he wasn’t able to avoid impact with the Chevrolet. Burt hit Dentler’s front left quarter panel in the center turn lane sending Dentler’s vehicle across all northbound lanes and then into the bar ditch on the east side of the highway. She struck an embankment and came to rest facing east with her vehicle pushed into the brush. Burt’s truck came to rest facing south in both northbound lanes. Air Evac was called for Dentler, who was alleged to be in the final trimester of pregnancy and was taken to Dell Seton Hospital in Austin. Her 4-year-old male passenger was taken by Lee County EMS to Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin. Both of them had suffered incapacitating injuries.