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According to Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs, over the last few months the County has been experiencing a rash of car burglaries. The communities of Shamrock Shores, May, and Zephyr have been affected the most by these burglaries.
Investigator Scott Bird, with the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, along with Investigator Jason Benefield has been following up on leads and attempting to identify suspects in these cases. While coordinating with surrounding agencies, they found similar burglaries of vehicle in Ballinger, Miles, Eden, Rising Star, and Comanche. These burglaries were conducted within this same time period and in the same manner as the Brown County burglaries.
On May 18th 2010, Investigators identified 31-year-old Daniel Stambaugh as a suspect in these burglaries. After locating stolen property in San Angelo from the burglaries in May and Ballinger, Tx, Investigator Bird and Benefield attempted to speak with Stambaugh in the 1500 block of Durham Street in Brownwood. While speaking with him, Stambaugh became nervous and attempted to run. Investigators attempted to place Stambaugh into custody and Stambaugh resisted arrest by striking both officers. Stambaugh was able to get away.
Investigators were assisted by Brownwood and Early Police Departments in an attempt to locate Stambaugh in the area. This attempt was unsuccessful. Stambaugh abandoned a vehicle when he left the scene. Located in the vehicle was stolen property, including firearms from Comanche County, Runnels County, and Miles, Tx. During the search of the vehicle Investigators determined that at the time of his escape, Stambaugh was believed to be in possession of a handgun that had also been reported as being stolen. Investigators obtained felony warrants for Stambaugh for Assault on a Public Servant and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Investigators contacted surrounding law enforcement agencies to alert them that Stambaugh was to be considered armed and dangerous.
On May 19, 2010, Investigators contacted Stambaugh’s girlfriend, Miranda Ketchum, age 21, in an attempt to find out where he could possibly be. Ketchum denied see him or knowing of his whereabouts. After explaining to her the consequences of harboring him or hindering his apprehension, she was released.
Investigators received information that Stambaugh was at a residence on CR 105 in Brown County. Investigators arrived at the location and observed Stambaugh outside. Stambaugh attempted to evade arrest again, but was arrested by Brown County Investigators. Located in a bag that Stambaugh was carrying was the stolen handgun. Stambaugh’s girlfriend Miranda Ketchum was also located at the residence. It was determined through further investigation that Ketchum had been harboring Stambaugh and attempting to conceal his location from law enforcement.
Stambaugh was arrested and charged with two counts of Assault on a Public Servant, three counts of Unlawful Possession of a firearm, and Evading Arrest. Other agencies have begun to file additional charges on Stambaugh for offenses committed in surrounding counties.
Ketchum was arrested and charged with Hindering Apprehension. As a result of this investigation, these arrests will result in clearing up an undetermined amount of cases in Brown and surrounding counties. Believing that there are more suspects involved in these burglaries, investigators expect more arrests to be made as they continue their investigation. If not for the continued diligence shown by the Brown County Criminal Investigation Division, and their cooperation with investigators of other agencies, these cases may have gone unsolved and numerous victims would be denied the justice that they deserve for offenses committed against them and their property.