By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – In a weird incident a lot stranger than fiction, a person was arrested after allegedly crashing his automotive via the gate and burglarizing the Houston County Museum in Crockett, Tuesday, Feb. 13.
Sources advised The Messenger a neighbor known as Crockett Police Division (CPD) to report sparks from an influence line behind the museum. Arriving on the scene, CPD officers seen the fence across the museum was open and broken, noticed damaged glass overlaying the doorway, solely then to discover a man sitting in an SUV, bare and unconscious.
CPD Officer Hayden Duran and Sgt. Matthew Millican recognized 43-year-old Armando Antonio Luna as the motive force and known as EMS to help in waking Luna. Because the officers checked the realm, they seen Luna’s garments in a pile close to the museum, together with a damaged window and a typewriter on the bottom. A phone pole was additionally on the bottom, apparently hit by Luna and what precipitated the alarmed neighbor to contact authorities.
Luna allegedly admitted he had taken methamphetamine and was transported to Mid-Coast Medical for therapy, earlier than being transported to Houston County Jail. Officers suspect Luna threw a rock via a window, attempting to realize entry, earlier than forcing one of many aspect doorways and going inside.
Patsy Stokes, one of many devoted museum workers, spoke with The Messenger to verify the harm, and though she believes it may be repaired, was indignant Luna apparently broke Eliza Bishop’s typewriter, one of many historic items housed on the museum.
Neither CPD, museum workers, nor The Messenger may clarify how Luna, a local of Pasadena, made his option to Crockett, a lot much less to the small museum on the west aspect of downtown Crockett. No supply provided any hypothesis as to why Luna determined to disrobe and return to his automotive, all whereas carrying an vintage typewriter.
The Messenger was in a position to attain out to Crockett Metropolis Administrator John Angerstein, who received Crockett Public Works to ensure the realm was away from damaged glass. The Messenger additionally contacted a neighborhood firm to survey and presumably restore the broken fence.
Houston County Decide Jim Lovell, when knowledgeable of the incident, went to the museum with the county environmental officer to examine the realm and render any further assist.
The museum is closed for the winter and nobody was injured within the incident. Native businessman David Tyer, who was already aiding the museum to restore water harm from the winter ice storm, can be serving to to restore different components of the museum broken by Luna.
The Messenger has reported – with alarm – the rising variety of felony components who goal Houston County residents and property.
As of press time, Luna is in Houston County Jail, charged with second-degree felony housebreaking of a constructing, driving whereas intoxicated and felony mischief. His whole bond stands at $22,500.
The Messenger will replace this story and the work to restore the museum as wanted.
All suspects are harmless till confirmed responsible in a courtroom of regulation.
Greg Ritchie might be reached at [email protected]
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