Handyman in Troup arrested for theft

TROUP, Texas – An elderly woman near Troup filed a theft report with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Saturday reporting that a handyman had possibly stolen several thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry from their home. Authorities later identified the handyman as Christopher McDowell – 53 of Troup. McDowell had worked inside the home multiple times, and even reportedly stayed in the victim’s bedroom for an “unusual length of time.” After a warrant was obtained, authorities arrested McDowell Wednesday night for the criminal offense of Theft of Property $2,500<$30K enhanced to a Third-Degree Felony. The bond was set at $100,000.