Thursday's Internet Edition, December 04, 2008.
five stolen exotic birds
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| QUILT RAFFLE- The Hamilton County Historical Museum is now selling raffle tickets for this beautiful quilt. The quilt made by Toni Lanfranco features squares made from past Hamilton County Dove Festival t-shirts. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. Tickets are available at the museum, at the Chamber of Commerce office, at the Lanfranco’s business on the center of the north side of the square and from museum board members. The quilt is also on display in the show window at the Lanfranco’s building. Above, Lanfranco (left) and Joyce Parrish hold the work of art. Staff Photo |
Captain Jim Buster told The Herald-News during the course of the investigation they received information implicat-ing two Rainbow Exotics employees.
According to Buster, they received a tip that one of the birds was located at a residence in Gustine. He and Sgt. Ronnie Ashmore went to Gustine where they located a bird.
The individual in possession of the bird had received it in payment for a debt from John Labrado, Jr., an employee at Rainbow Exotics and Com-anche resident. Another of the birds was recovered at Lab-rado’s home in Comanche.
Two more of the missing birds were found at the home of Donald Donnell Barnes in Hico. He was also a Rainbow Exotics employee.
Warrants were issued for Barnes on Jan. 22 and for Labrado on Jan. 25.
Information learned from the suspects led to the recovery of another bird in Brownwood.
Both men have been charged with theft of exotic birds.
Buster said that the in-vestigation is still continuing and that other birds are missing. However, he added that there has been no evidence found to implicate the two suspects arrested in the disappearance of the other birds.
Sheriff Randy Murphree praised his deputies for their quick investigative work.
Buster also led a recent investigation regarding the theft of a local individual’s credit card. Buster said that Deborah Rena Smith has been charged with credit card abuse. He said after stealing the credit card, she charged $4,300 on it.
She was arrested on Jan. 29 and has since bonded out of the Hamilton County Jail.