Arrested on Dec. 9, 2016 at 4:03 pm at the Police Station after surrendering on a Warrant for His Arrest for
Organized Retail Theft more than $100 less than $750 a Class B Misdemeanor; Details of the Arrest Warrant Affidavit below;
Arrest Warrant Affidavit
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, personally appeared the undersigned affiant, who being duly sworn under oath disposes and says, my name is Joshua Ellis, a Detective for the City of Southlake Police Department and I have good reason to believe and do believe that on November 12, 2016, in TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS, Brent Sheffield, (W/M DOB 08/01/1970 did then and there commit the offense of:
Theft $> $100 < $750
23030001
31.16 (c) (2) PC
(Class B Misdemeanor)
INTENTIONALLY, CONDUCT, PROMOTE OR FACILITATE, AN ACTIVITY IN WHICH THE DEFENDANT RECEIVES, POSSESSES OR CONCEALS. STORES BARTER OR SALES OR DISPOSES OF STOLEN MERCHANDISE NAMELY SEVEN MAYKUS CUSTOM HOMES ADVERTISING SIGNS OF A VALUE OF MORE THAN $100 BUT LESS THAN $750.
My belief is based on the following facts and information:
On November 12, 2016 a complaint was made to the Southlake Police Department Offense Number 16SP092 was generated as a result of the report. Offense Number 16SP092 is a permanent record and is maintained by the Southlake Police Records Division. Your Affiant is assigned the investigation of this Offense.
Officer D. McMillen #1842 and T Roberson #1521 were dispatched to 2364 E. Hwy 114 Southlake, Tarrant County Texas in reference to a Theft Report. On arrival, they met with the victim who was identified as Kosse Maykus (Maykus Custom Homes.)
According to Maykus he is the main builder for a subdivision project that is currently located on Shady Lane (in between N. Kimball Lane and Hwy 114 WB Service Road). He has been placing “Maykus Custom Home” signs at both intersections for advertisement and marketing purposes to help sell future lots and homes. He further mentioned for the past month his signs have been stolen from both locations. Maykus informed the officers that residents in the “Shady Lane” have expressed displeasure toward the construction project. He said residents have expressed their opinions at City Council Meetings, Planning and Zoning Meetings, as well as signing an opposition list for the project to not allow the project to commence.
Maykus said due to the recent thefts, he had three new signs delivered and placed back at both intersections on Friday November 11, 2016 at approximately 2:30 PM. However, Maykus and his employee Stephen New placed game cameras at both locations. On Saturday, November 12, 2016 at approximately 10:30 am, Stephen New drove by both locations to reposition the cameras and the signs were still in place. By Noon Stephen New drove by both locations and the signs were no longer there.
On November 14, 2016, your affiant, met with the victim Kosse Maykus and his employee Stephen New. Maykus provided me with surveillance photos taken by his game cameras on Saturday, November 12, 2016 depicting the incident on Saturday morning when the signs were stolen. According to the pictures the signs were taken at approximately 10:52 AM at one location and 11:04 AM at the second location . The pictures show a while male clearly pulling the “Maykus Custom Homes” signs from the ground and carrying them away from both locations. The White Male is wearing a dark colored baseball cap, dark sunglasses, a two-toned blue hooded sweatshirt and vest, a pair of khaki golf shorts and white shoes. Maykus told our affiant that he did not know the suspect in the photos, Maykus mentioned that another builder, Toll Brothers has also had several of their signs stolen. Their closest development is Southlake Glen across the street from Shady Lane.
Maykus also provided an invoice for the cost of each sign as well as a 100 page opposition list as signed by the Shady Lane residents. According to Maykus he has had a total of 12 signs stolen within the last 4 to 6 weeks.
Each sign cost $44.15 for a total monetary value of $529.,80.
On November 14, 2016, Officer B. Fitzgerald #1293 was dispatched to Southlake Town Hall in reference to a contact citizen. Officer Fitzgerald then met with Kenneth Baker, (Southlake Department of Planning Employee). According to Baker three “Maykus Custom Homes” signs were dropped off to Mike White (Southlake Department of Planning Employee). Baker further mentioned a white male was seen entering City Hall and spoke to Mike White. He told Mike his name was Brent and gave a phone number of 213-xxx-xxxx.
On November 18,2016 your affiant did a computerized search of the phone number which revealed it was assigned to Brent Sheffield. A TLTES for Brent Sheffield showed Brent Sheffield residing at 800 Simmon Court. Your affiant also found out that Brent Sheffield and his wife Katherine both signed the opposition list for the Shady Lane development on February 28, 2015.
Your affiant made contact with Brent Sheffield and he agreed to come in for an interview. On November 18, 2016 at approximately 12:15 AM your affiant met with Brent Sheffield at the Southlake Police Department for an interview. During the interview your affiant showed the photo from Town Hall on November 16, 2016 and ask him; “So this is you from the other day and he said, “Yes.” I also showed him the surveillance photos from November 16, 2016 and ask, “So is that you?” and he said “Yeah, I’m not going to deny it.”
During the interview Sheffield confessed to taking the three signs on November 12th, as well as four more over the last couple of months. When ask what he did with the signs, he told your affiant that he kept them in his garage. Sheffield gave the excuse of “blocking driver’s vision” for the reason he stole the signs. He also mentioned making a complaint to Southlake Code Enforcement to the placement and safety concerns of the signs. Your affiant contacted Code Enforcement Michelle Gomez and ask if a complaint had been filed by Brent Sheffield and she did not have any record of a complaint.
At the conclusion of the interview, your affiant ask Sheffield where the signs were currently located and Sheffield responded that he had them in his vehicle. Your affiant went outside with Sheffield and walked to a Jeep Renegade. He opened the back hatch and your affiant observed several signs. Sheffield unloaded the four previously noted “Maykus Custom Homes” signs as well as seven additional “Toll Brother’s Southlake Glen Signs.”
In Summary, it is your affiant’s belief that between September 1, 2016 and November 12, 2016 that Sheffield, without the owner’s effective consent unlawfully appropriated property (7 “Maykus Custom Home”) signs with intent to deprive the owner of said property. The total amount of monetary value as reported by Kosse Maykus as a result of the theft was $309.05.
Wherefore, that an arrest warrant be issued for the subject hereafter designated by the laws of the State of Texas.
Signed December 5, 2016 by Southlake Police Detective Joshua Ellis.
