Published: July 17, 2008 09:55 am            

Seagoville man jailed in Parker County burglary

Staff Reports

Parker County Crimes Against Property investigators charged a 30-year-old Seagoville man with burglary of a habitation stemming from a May 5 break-in.

The burglary happened in the 100 block of Forrest Creek, just west of Weatherford.

Russell Cates Sr. was arrested in Dallas and remains in custody at the Parker County Justice Center on a $135,000 bond.

The burglary charges are for crimes in Parker and Henderson counties.

According to Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler, deputies responded to the break-in around 8 p.m. May 5, after a caretaker notified authorities the glass from a rear door had been shattered and forced opened.

The homeowners reported more than $17,000 of personal items were stolen during the burglary including computer and printer equipment, home appliances, musical instruments, a large-screen television, a sound system, an undisclosed amount of cash, clothing, jewelry, firearms and numerous articles of personal identification, credit cards and documents.

The victims also reported suspicious credit card transactions made from the stolen cards.

Investigators followed the trail, which led them Cates.

Investigators ran Cates’ name through a computer search of Dallas/Fort Worth pawn shop transactions and identified several items they believe were stolen in the Parker County burglary.

According to an affidavit, authorities believe Cates pawned the items.

Investigators obtained a warrant for Cates’ arrest last month.

Officials learned he had been staying at area motels where he was arrested.

Parker County Sheriff’s Investigator Robert Moore said the information was passed to the Weatherford/Parker County Fugitive Unit who sought assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Strike Team.

The team and unit located Cates leaving a Dallas motel Tuesday and apprehended him.

Fowler said the case would be referred to the grand jury.

Cates is expected to face separate burglary charges in Henderson County.

His bail for the Parker County charge is $35,000 and his bail for the Henderson County charge is $100,000.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.