Two women have been charged with theft of copper from a closed/vacant hotel in Brownwood.

According to Brownwood Police Department:  On Thursday, December 29, 2022, at approximately 5:00pm, Officer’s James Holdar and Marquis Thomas were patrolling in the 500 block of East Commerce when they observed a suspicious vehicle parked at the rear of the closed/vacant Oyo Hotel.

 

 

 

            Officer Holdar exited his patrol vehicle and made contact with two females who were at the vehicle.  The females were identified as Lucilla Ortega, 50, of Early (left) and Leanna Elizabeth Griffin-Monroe, 28, of Comanche (right).

            A communications check revealed that both females had active warrants for their arrest for various criminal reasons.  Both females were arrested for these warrants.

While conducting an inventory of the vehicle, a pair of bolt cutters was located as well as several bags containing various lengths of copper wiring.  Additionally, various lengths of copper wiring were located, scattered, inside the vehicle and on the ground near the vehicle.  Given all the evidence at hand, it was apparent that the females were at the closed Oyo Hotel, stealing copper wiring.

Ortega and Griffin-Monroe were additionally charged with Theft of Material – Copper, under $20,000 in value which is a felony offense.  They were transported to the Brown County Jail without further incident.

(Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.)