Published: October 31, 2007 12:30 am            

Suspect in M’ville burglaries nabbed

By Debby Schamber

The Orange Leader



Brian Dressler, 38, of Mauriceville, was apprehended Monday evening by Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

According to reports, investigators located Dressler in a vehicle near Interstate 10 and Main Street in Vidor. When they apporached Dressler, he fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, he was arrested near Tannahill Street.

During the investigation Dressler confessed to law enforcement authorities he had committed burglaries. However, they were unable to arrest him for the third degree felony of burglary of a habitation until they obtained a warrant.

“At the time of the interview he was just a suspect. We had to file a report to get a warrant,” said Sgt. Tom Ray of the Special Services Division.

Once officials had the warrant, they started looking for him.

“During the interview he admitted he purposely targeted rural areas,” said Lt. Tommy Smith of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Through tips received from informants, the Street Crimes Unit was able to piece together the information and retrieve more thousands of pieces of evidence from different areas. Items such lawnmowers, generators and fishing poles will be given back to their owners. Officials sorted through the items to match them to the reports before they can be returned.

“He had a multitude of items pawned,” Ray said.

Sheriff Mike White doesn’t think Dressler is responsible for all the burglaries in Mauriceville. They are still investigating the other burglaries.

“I am very proud of the efforts by the deputies and the way they conducted this investigation, “ White said.

Bond was set by Precinct 1 Judge Joe Parkhurst at $30,000. If convicted of the third degree felony charges, Dressler could receive 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

        

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