Two Arrested for Theft at Cell Phone Tower in Montgomery County

On March 23, 2024, at approximately 11:30 p.m., deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office District 4 West Patrol Division responded to a theft in progress at a cell phone tower located in the 4200 block FM 1486. The call came in from a vigilant citizen who reported suspicious activity captured on security camera footage: two individuals stealing metal and cameras from the site and fleeing in a U-Haul truck.

MCTXSheriff units, aided by the Magnolia Police Department, swiftly converged on the area. They located the suspect vehicle occupied by two men matching the descriptions provided by the 911 caller. Billie Scott Robinson, a 58-year-old male from Houston, Texas, and Edward Garner Schoppe, a 43-year-old male from Onalaska, Texas, were apprehended at the scene and subsequently charged with felony theft.

Robinson has a history of criminal activity and is currently on parole from T.D.C.J. for multiple offenses, including burglary and criminal mischief. Schoppe, on the other hand, is currently on probation in Rusk County for possession of a controlled substance. Due to their extensive criminal records, both Robinson and Schoppe are being held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond.

Law enforcement expressed gratitude to the Magnolia Police Department for their crucial assistance in capturing the suspects.

“Collaborations like these underscore the significance of cooperation among law enforcement agencies and send a strong message: Career criminals like these have no place in Montgomery County.”, said the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in a statement.