PRESS RELEASE — At 9:10 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Newton County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a burglary in progress at the Newton County Correctional Center (originally Fillyaw Correctional Center). It was reported by a citizen that a vehicle was inside the locked compound and there was a lot of noise coming from the area. A short time later the citizen reported to the Sheriff’s Office that the vehicle was leaving the Correctional facility headed north bound on Highway 87 towards Burkeville, Texas. It was reported that the vehicle was pulling a lowboy trailer that was loaded with what appeared to be items from the correctional facility. Officer Gene Lilly, of the Newton Police Department apprehended three white male suspects who were later arrested in connection with the burglary. Peter Wood, age 39 of Cypress, Texas, Gregory Wallace, age 41 of Hemphill, Texas and Tommie Ringo, age 46 of Pineland, Texas. All three were booked into Newton County jail and charged with engaging in criminal activity.

Sheriff Rowles would like to thank the citizens who called 911 for their assistance in this case and for helping make Newton County a better place.