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Thieves
hit Gun Barrel City Pharmacy
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–Police are investigating a burglary at Gun Barrel City Pharmacy
overnight Thursday in which “quite a bit” of pain medication was taken.
Police suspect that the perpetrators are part of, or related to, a theft ring that has hit
various businesses in the state, including the Cedar Creek Pharmacy in Seven Points
earlier this year.
As in that burglary, thieves entered through the roof, cutting through the communication
and security cables, Gun Barrel City assistant police chief Larry Warrick said.
Warrick added there was a strong possibility they, or an associated group, was also
responsible for the recent East Cedar Creek water utility break-in.
In that instance, cables were cut, and thieves cut a hole in the back wall to get in.
The pharmacy didn’t have video surveillance, so the number of suspects is unknown,
Warrick said. Some fingerprints were lifted, but at this stage of the investigation it is
uncertain how helpful these will be.
Pharmacy owner Robert Emfinger doesn’t regret the loss of merchandise, as much as the
loss of service to his clients and neighbors resulting from the break-in.
“Friday, we had customers that we couldn’t serve, due to the break-in. Doctors
were unable to call in prescriptions, and medical care was hindered in its
administration,” Emfinger said. All communications to the business were disrupted, he
explained.
By Saturday, the pharmacy was able to continue its service, he added.
“I gave my business to God a long time ago, and when they stole, they stole from
Him,” Emfinger said.
Warrick advises area businesses to take all necessary precautions to prevent undue loss
from this apparently professional theft ring.
First, do not store cash at place of business, put it in the bank, Warrick said.
“If a thief steals your safe, you’ll never recoup the loss,” he said.
Secondly, if the alarm service calls to tell you the alarm at your business has gone off,
call the police immediately. Treat every alarm seriously, he said.
Third, put a good video surveillance system in place.
“They’re not as costly as they once were,” Warrick pointed out.
“It takes three things to make a crime – a perpetrator, a victim and an
opportunity. Lessen the opportunity, be less of a victim by making daily cash
deposits,” he advised. “Install and use alarm and video surveillance systems,
and treat every alarm call seriously. Together, we’ll catch the suspects.”Meth lab busted
Monitor Staff Reports
KEMP–The Kaufman Sheriff’s Office took three local men into custody Saturday
after breaking down a meth lab in the Kemp area of Kaufman County.
Gregory Scott Phillips, 42, of Kemp, Jonathan Ren Threadgill, 21, and James David
Threadgill, 43, both of Seven Points, were transported to the Kaufman County Law
Enforcement Center where they remain in custody with bonds of $300,000 on Phillips and
$250,000 on each Threadgill.
They are charged with possession of controlled substance in penalty group one between one
and four grams, transport of certain chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled
substance and possession of anhydrous ammonia. In addition, Phillips was charged with
unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to a press release, Kaufman County deputies were acting on a tip when they
discovered the drug-making operation in the 4000 block of Fieldcrest in the Kemp area.
Multiple pieces of equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamines, as well as
several different chemicals and anhydrous ammonia were all confiscated.
Seven Points council instructed to get back
to work
Agreement between Dobbs, council ordered
Monitor Staff Reports
SEVEN POINTS–It remains to be seen whether the citizens of Seven Points will be the
winners in the latest legal action involving their city council members and the mayor.
Friday, an agreement was hammered out and bound on all members of the city council for at
least 30 days.
Attorneys for Bubba Powell and Hank Laywell, as well as for Mayor Joe Dobbs, met with
Henderson County assistant district attorney Mark Hall over the power struggle that has
threatened to grind the city to a halt.
The parties may no longer try to have each other removed from office, nor are they to
engage in attacks on each other’s character.
Hall, representing DA Scott McKee, said charges filed by Powell against Dobbs in his
effort to have him removed from office have been dropped.
Hall said McKee dropped the charges, citing insufficient evidence to pursue the matter
against the mayor.
An audit is also to be performed, with no more checks written with a sole signature.
Any single council member may have an item added to the agenda.
Meeting packets of information are to be delivered to council members a minimum of 72
hours prior to the meeting.
Another stipulation provides for a moratorium on making any personnel changes 30 days
after the completion of the audit.
The Athens Daily Review reported that Laywell left the meeting with a smile on his face.
It also reported Dobbs’ response, saying “I just don’t feel good about
it.”
The city business on the last two agendas included approving CPA Don Kinney to conduct an
audit; to get proper signatures to save the $200,000 in block grant funds held by the
state and the possible renewal of a contract with the Humane Society.
The agreement hammered out by the attorneys may take care of this, as all parties have
agreed to work toward handling city business.
Also of high priority is adopting a budget, as the fiscal year started Oct. 1.
With early voting being conducted at city hall, the calling of a special council meeting
in the days ahead will have to be set in another venue, perhaps the library, Henderson
County sub-courthouse or even the city park pavilion.
Both attorneys warned that if either one of the parties fails to honor the agreement, he
or she could face stiff legal penalties. |