The Brownwood Police Department issued the following information Friday morning:
On Thursday, December 29, 2022, at approximately 5 p.m. Officers 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 50-year-old Lucilla Ortega of Early and 28-year-old Leanna Elizabeth Griffin-Monroe of Comanche.
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 female’s 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.
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On Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at approximately 1:45 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1400 block of Oakland Dr, regarding a report of a domestic disturbance.
In that investigation, it was learned that 35-year-old Ryan Adam Pena of Brownwood, physically assaulted two family members on a previous episode the week before. Evidence was gathered of that previous incident and provided to the Criminal Investigations Division. Regarding the initial call on December 13th, the female and children of the home left the residence for the evening.
Criminal Investigators followed up on the case and examined the collected evidence. Interviews were also conducted, and a warrant was sought for Pena for two counts of Assault Against a Family Member.
On December 29, 2022, at approximately 11:20 a.m. Pena was arrested at his home for the warrants and transported to the Brown County Jail.