Arrests made for Highway 154 burglaries and other cases

On January 30th, Wood County deputies investigated burglaries at the East Fork Club, Pioneer Exploration and an attempted burglary at the Cross Roads Store. All these businesses are located on Hwy 154 between Quitman and Yantis.
 

Since the initial reports were taken, Wood County investigators have been able to develop leads that have lead to the arrest of two individuals in connection with these offenses.
 

In the early morning hours of February 1st, officers from the Mineola Police Department arrested 19-year-old Everett Saucerman for the offense of minor in possession of alcohol.
 

The alcohol that was in the vehicle in which Saucerman was the lone occupant was found to be an unopened bottle which had been taken in the burglary at the Lake Fork Club.
 

Another search of the rental car that Saucerman was driving also revealed a Uniden walkie-talkie which was also taken from the club. This resulted in Saucerman’s arrest for possession of stolen property.
 

This information led investigators to a residence in Quitman where numerous other bottles of liquor and several cartons of cigarettes were recovered. All were identified as having been stolen in the burglary at the club. Also recovered from this residence was a bank bag which has also been identified as being stolen from the club. It contained approximately $75 in quarters believed to have been removed from pool tables inside the establishment.
 

All were identified by specific Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission tags which have an identification number. Cigarettes also have a unique state identification number.
 

A second arrest was made due to this discovery. A subject confessed to being directly involved in the three burglaries. Chris Osborn, 19, was arrested on sight for possession of a controlled substance, and will be charged with the burglary.
 

Wood Count CID Sgt. Reginald Frost stated that two other suspects have been identified from information obtained in the investigation and warrants of arrest are pending for both. Sgt. Frost went on to say that he believes that these suspects are the same persons who committed the burglary at the Pioneer Exploration office and the attempted burglary at the Cross Roads Store.
 

Also arrested on the following day was 18-year-old Joshua Smaistrla of Hawkins. In his vehicle, he had a Toshiba laptop computer and two Motorola portable radios. These items had been reported stolen to the Mineola police January 31st. Smaistrla was arrested for possession of stolen property.
 

On February 8th, Wood County investigators learned that another suspect in the burglaries, Norman Kyle Terry, had been apprehended by Smith County deputies after a high speed chase on FM 14 near the Sand Flat area, Terry, the second suspect in these burglaries, is also suspected in numerous burglaries and thefts in Wood, Hopkins and Smith Counties. Numerous other jurisdictions have pending charges on Terry.
 

The third suspect in connection with these burglaries was also apprehended by Smith County on the 8th. Ferris Earl Fisher III was arrested by Smith County deputies in a burglary warrant. Fisher is also wanted by several other jurisdictions in connection with other burglaries. Each of the three suspects will face at least two burglary charges. Their cases are being submitted to the Wood County District Attorney’s office for Grand Jury consideration.
 

Anyone with information concerning these or any other burglaries in the county is requested to contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Department. Additionally, the Wood County Crime Stoppers will pay for information leading to the arrest of any suspects involved in criminal activity in Wood County.
 

The number for the sheriff’s office is 903-763-2201 and the number for Crime Stoppers is 903-763-CASH or in Mineola at 903-569-2118. If you call Crime Stoppers, you may remain anonymous.