'Invasion' tip nets drub bust

Sheriff's Report

 A tip on a Ben Arnold home invasion led the Milam County sheriff’s department to Rockdale last Wednesday, resulting in an arrest and a major drug bust.
 Sammie Lee Ford Jr., 35, was charged with aggravated robbery, burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felony, possession of a controlled substance (1 to 400 grams) and parole violation, according to Sheriff David Greene.
 Residents of a Ben Arnold house told investigators two black males held them at gunpoint while burglarizing the home on Aug. 26.
 No one was injured during the home invastion.
 The next day, according to Greene, the sheriff’s department received a tip that one of the men was at a Rockdale restaurant.
 Greene, Chief Deputy Ted Retchloff and Investigators Chris White and Jay Beathard, assisted by Rockdale police, obtained a search warrant, came to Rockdale, made the arrest and searched the suspect’s motel room.
 Greene said the search turned up four bags of cocaine, weighing 95 grams, a cocaine brick weighing 1.069 grams, a small amount of marijuana and $3,400 in cash.
 “Street value of the cocaine is estimated at over $115,000,” Greene said.
 “Evidence was also collected implicating Mr. Ford in the home invasion,” Greene said.
 Bond was denied Ford on four of the charges and set at $2,000 on the bond surrender charge.
 Greene said anyone with information about the second person sought in the home invasion is asked to call the sheriff’s department at 1-254-697-7033, 1-254-482-0941 or toll free at 1-877-697-7887.

Calls
 
 Greene said other calls during the past week included:
 Aug. 26—Trespassing, Milano; animal cruelty, Bartlett area; theft, Buckholts; motorist assistance, Cameron area; reckless driving, San Gabriel.
 Aug. 27—911 call terminated, Rockdale area; theft, Cameron area; motorist assistance, Milano; welfare concern, Rockdale area; motorist assistance, Cameron area; 911 call terminated, Rockdale area.
 Thursday—Burn ban violation, San Gabriel; suspicious noise, Thorndale area; welfare concern, Ben Arnold; criminal mischief, San Gabriel; medical alert, Cameron area; suspicious noise, Thorndale area; domestic disturbance, Rockdale area; domestic disturbance, Buckholts; missing juveniles, Cameron area; domestic disturbance, Cameron area; suspicious activity, Pettibone.
 Friday—Prowler, Rockdale area; welfare concern, Maysfield; threat, Buckholts; theft, Rockdale area; welfare concern, Davilla; 18 -wheeler blocking exit, Gause; welfare concern, Thorndale; theft of gas, Milano; alarm, Buckholts; welfare concern, Sharp.
 Saturday—Abandoned vehicle, Rockdale area; suspicious person, Rockdale area; suicidal person, Rockdale area; suspicious person, Branchville.
 Sunday—Suspicious person, Cameron area; theft of gas, Rockdale area; terminated 911 call, Milano; theft of checks, Rockdale area; shots fired, Maysfield; 4-wheelers on highway, Rockdale area.
 Monday—Domestic disturbance, Rockdale area; arson, Cameron area; arson, CR 361; burglary of habitation, Cameron area; threat, Thorndale area; animal nuisance, McClerran Hill; reckless driving, Rockdale area;reckless driving, Buckholts; controlled burn, US 77; civil matter, Gause; assault, Buckholts; disturbance, Milano.
 Tuesday—Suspicious vehicle, Davilla; reckless driving, Buckholts.s.