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Sales staff detain would-be thieves
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
MABANK–The brashness of two men, who thought shoplifting or theft at Groom’s Hardware was easy, just didn’t pay off Monday.
Their escapade began around 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 16, when a young man, walked out of Groom’s with two Milwaukee Power Drill kits, without paying for them, store manager Sherry Weaver said.
Employee Wayne Wright saw the man but was busy with a customer. By the time he realized the man had taken the merchandise, it was too late, manager Weaver explained.
However, three cameras recorded his activities. “We actually had a picture of the young man carrying a drill case in each hand,” Weaver proclaimed. The power drill kits are valued at more than $200 each.
Monday, sometime before noon, the man returned to the store.
“Wayne (Wright), who saw the young man that Friday, spotted him as he came in the front door and recognized him instantly,” Weaver said.
Wright immediately passed the word to fellow employee Greg Mosley, who in turn notified Weaver, who had employee Shane Fortner shadow the man around the store.
At that time they were unaware of a second man, as each had entered the store at separately.
When Weaver called the Mabank Police Department, she asked if they could detain the man as they had his picture on the security camera.
The police officer told her she could.
They young man must have suspected trouble, for he and the second man hurriedly departed the store and got into a truck.
Mosley signaled them to stop because he needed to speak to them, but the men ignored him.
Mosley, Weaver and Fortner all took up positions behind the truck, in the parking lot to prevent them from driving away.
She said the young man asked several times what was it they were doing. She said she didn’t answer but kept hoping the police would arrive in a hurry and they did.
“It was just a matter of minutes from when they were called,” Weaver said, admitting she was real glad to see them.
She said there were four pictures on the security cameras of the young man. They were turned over to the police.
As the three alert employees had followed the younger man around the store, she said several items were put in unobtrusive locations, ready to be carried out the door when the opportunity arose.
Another Milwaukee Power Drill, like those stolen March 16, was placed on a shelf that held smaller items. Another power tool was set by the lawn furniture near the front door.
This is a common technique used by someone planning to carry off merchandise, she explained.
Both men were arrested. The younger admitted to selling the first drills stolen, but denied taking them, even though his front-facing picture shows him carrying one drill set in each hand.
James Scott Kimberling, 34, was taken to Kaufman County for three outstanding Class C misdemeanor charges with bail set at $919. Cristopher Harbel, 19, was charged with theft of property and is currently held at the Henderson County jail under a $500 bond. The investigation is ongoing.

Political entities cancel elections
Monitor Staff Reports
CEDAR CREEK LAKE–Several political entities holding May 12 elections have since cancelled them due to candidates running unopposed.
Those cancelling their elections are: Mabank ISD, West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District, and the cities of Log Cabin, Mabank, Malakoff, Seven Points and Star Harbor.
A cancelled election saves money for the entity that doesn’t have to hold one, on the other hand it usually means conducting business as usual, with incumbents reseated. It can also be viewed as a vote of confidence in how things are being managed, or a sign of complacency.
Only four local entities will be holding elections Saturday, May 12. They are Kemp Independent School District for Place 3, between board president Keith Foisey and newcomer Melinda Polk, and the cities of Eustace, Gun Barrel City and Kemp.
Eustace has three council seats available and four candidates. Voters in Gun Barrel City will vote for a mayor and two council members. There are two running for Place 2E and three for Place 4W. In Kemp, three candidates are vying for Place 3, and two hoping to fill Place 5.
At Seven Points City Council meeting in March, Andy Perdue withdrew his candidacy, leaving Cheryl Jones and Bill Hash to fill the two available seats.
The last day to apply for a ballot by Mail is May 4, applications have been accepted since March 13.
April 12 is the last day to register to vote and early voting begins on April 30, ending May 8.