Published: November 13, 2007 11:45 pm      

Gun stolen from K&C Pawn Shop

By Debby Schamber

The Orange Leader



Within an hour after reportedly stealing a semi-handgun at K & C Pawn Shop, Hank Thompson, 23, of Orange was arrested.

According to reports from the Orange Police Department, about 10:30 a.m. Monday, Thompson entered the pawnshop located at 1401 16th St. Thompson asked the manager of the store to look at a Desert Eagle semi-automatic handgun.

The manager removed the gun from the display case and handed it to Thompson to look over. Thompson took the gun and ran out the door. The manager chased Thompson until he was forced to quit.

While officers were gathering information at the pawn shop a call came in to OPD stating they saw a man crawling under a residence in the 1200 block of 17th St. Officers were able to locate the man under the residence.

They asked Thompson where the gun was and he replied he had thrown it down while he was being chased. While conducting a pat down, officers located a “butterfly knife.”

Thompson was taken back to the pawn shop where he was positively identified by the manager as the man who had taken the gun.

Detectives with OPD believe Thompson is involved in other incidents in Orange. They are continuing to investigate the cases, according to Capt. Sparky Robinson.

Thompson was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail. Bond was set at $13,000 for the third-degree felony charges of theft of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and a prohibited weapon (the butterfly-knife).

If convicted he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. As of press time, Thompson remained in jail.



Reports: Woman threatened another with gun

OPD officers arrived about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday in the 5700 block of Velma Jeter after a 21-year old woman reported she had been threatened with a gun.

According to reports, Crystal Minor, 39, of Orange, arrived at the woman’s apartment as she was walking out. The woman was confronted by Minor who was believed to angry. The woman reported Minor was hollering threats while pointing a gun at her. Witnesses at the scene corroborated the story as the woman had told it to officers.

While en route to the scene, the officer was informed Minor was trying to leave in a red vehicle. The officer was able to stop and detain her. He located a Smith and Wesson revolver in Minor’s purse.

Minor was taken to the Orange County Jail and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Bond has not been set as of press time and she remains in custody. If convicted of the second degree felony charges she may face up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.