November 9, 2020
By Trish Choate
Police have zeroed in on a theft ring of six people working together to steal computers, electronics, groceries, hygiene items, sporting goods and more this year, according to court records.
Davon Ramon Blue, Keelan Michael Carter and Ethan Cole Ashley have been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity-theft in connection with a theft ring suspected of stealing about $5,000 of merchandise from a local Walmart, according to court records.
A Wichita County grand jury indicted 19-year-old Blue and 18-year-old Carter Wednesday in connection with incidents on Feb. 8, according to court records. The indictment shows bonds of $20,000 each for them.
Blue and Carter were free Monday from Wichita County Jail, according to online jail records.
On Oct. 21, a Wichita County grand jury indicted 18-year-old Ashley on a charge of engaging in organized criminal activity-theft, court filings show. The indictment set Ashley’s bond at $20,000.
He was free Monday from jail, according to court records.
Engaging in organized criminal activity-theft of over $2,500 to under $30,000 is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
A search of online Wichita County court records and online jail records Monday in Odyssey did not turn up arrests or indictments for the other three suspects in connection with the incidents.
Affidavits for arrest warrants gave this account of allegations:
Between Feb. 8 and Feb. 15, six people operated a theft ring to steal about $4,734 from the Walmart Supercenter in the 3100 block of Lawrence Road.
They took on different roles in a conspiracy to swipe a range of items from computers to hygiene products in eight incidents.
They stole from Walmart on Feb. 8, Feb 9, Feb. 11, Feb. 13, Feb. 14 and Feb. 15.
Video surveillance showed Blue selecting items, removing security devices, taking the items from the store and loading them into vehicles.
Blue was present for at least three thefts, chose items to steal for all of them and pushed the shopping cart out for at least one.
Ashley is also caught on video picking out things to steal, removing them from Walmart, putting them in a vehicle and driving a suspect vehicle.
Ashley was present for about four thefts, selected items during two and drove in at least four.
Documents show at least three suspects pawned stolen goods at a local pawnshop.
Leadsonline.com shows Blue pawned four stolen items at the shop, including a sound bar, a TV and a desktop computer. Ashley pawned a desktop computer.
Source: https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/2020/11/09/indictments-police-bust-theft-ring-wichita-falls/6223327002/