Dispatched

A trip to a Rockdale store for the police department’s dispatcher administrator turned into something much bigger last week, ending with the arrest of two men and the seizure of cash, drugs and weapons.

Ofc. Shana Goodrich, who is also RPD Dispatch Administrator/Supervisor was at Tractor Supply, purchasing supplies for the police department, when she observed “men who appeared to be acting suspiciously,” according to Police Lt. Stephen Goodrich, who is Ofc. Goodrich’s husband.

“She thought they might be shoplifting,” Lt. Goodrich said. “They actually tripped the security alarm when they left the store.”

ARRESTS—Lt. Goodrich and Ofc. Dillian Ford were dispatched to look for the trio and their vehicle was located in the Walmart parking lot.

Arrested were:

• Christopher Elliott, Fetzner, 36, Rockdale, charged with theft of firearm, failure to identify fugitive, intent give false information, possession of controlled substance (more than one gram less than four grams), in custody on $29,000 bond.

• John Thomas Stieber, 28, Cedar Park, charged with theft of firearm, possession of controlled substance (more than one gram less than four grams), prohibited weapon knuckles, out-of-county theft of property (more than $2,500 less than $30,000), in custody on $39,000 bond.

After a search of the vehicle., Lt. Goodrich said items seized included three-and-one-half grams of methamphetamine, $3,100 in cash, a substance believed to be another illegal drug and a set of bare knuckles.

“It was discovered Stieber was wanted by the Lake-way Police Department and two members came here to interview him about thefts in the Lakeway-Travis County area,” Lt. Goodrich said. He was charged with felony theft and Lakeway said they had recovered a pressure washer in connection with the investigation.

Lt. Goodrich said the handgun recovered during the arrests was reported stolen in Milam County in 2014.

Lt. Goodrich said a third person, traveling with the two men in a separate car was charged with non-payment of child support.

“None of the items seized was found in his vehicle,” Lt. Goodrich said.