One of Three Involved in Theft Ring Gets 10 Years

TYLER — A Tyler man, Tyrell Choice, 18, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement with an East Texas theft ring. KETK reports the judgment was handed down Monday after Choice entered a guilty plea. On March 3, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received reports of seven vehicle burglaries in the Flint area. Sixteen firearms, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns, were taken from the trunk of one of the reported burglaries. Another vehicle burglary was reported in which two handguns were taken. The additional five vehicle burglaries reported miscellaneous items taken including credit cards and personal identifications.

The following day, officials received additional reports of vehicle burglaries, also in Flint. Numerous items including credit cards and personal ID’s were taken during the crimes. On March 12, the SCSO received reports of four burglaries, once again in Flint, where miscellaneous items were taken from vehicles. The same day, the Bullard Police Department received 11 reports of vehicle burglaries in which miscellaneous items were reported stolen including credit cards and personal IDs. A late model Chevrolet Tahoe was also stolen. This vehicle was subsequently recovered in Tyler.

Authorities eventually began making some headway in their investigation. Stolen credit cards from the vehicle burglaries were being used and the SCSO was able to identify a vehicle, as well as one suspect. The following Thursday, the Gladewater Police Department reported they had received five vehicle burglary reports as well as a report of a residential burglary. Various items, including credit cards and personal ID’s were taken during those vehicle burglaries. A 2015 Ford King Ranch pickup was also taken from one of the residences. A vehicle used in these burglaries had been previously identified by Smith County detectives, who say this enabled law enforcement to positively identify two suspects in all of the crimes.

SCSO detectives, along with the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force Investigators, located the Ford truck reported stolen from Gladewater. Surveillance was conducted on this vehicle as well as another suspect vehicle detectives had identified as part of an auto burglary, auto theft, credit card abuse and residential burglary ring operating in rural Smith County, Gladewater, and Tyler. Just before midnight, authorities detained six suspects. Upon further investigation, three people questioned were released. The remaining three suspects were arrested and are currently charged with vehicle burglary and credit card abuse.

Felony complaints were filed charging both Choice and Triston Travon Hudson with felony theft regarding the Smith County burglaries. Their bonds were set at $500,000 each. Charges are still pending regarding the Gladewater and Tyler alleged offenses. Ahteuhna Taylor was also arrested for credit card abuse. Taylor’s sentencing is expected to come today, while Hudson’s is scheduled for August 20.