Residents Warned of Burglaries; Three Suspects Sought

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is working an increased number of burglaries in the Southwest portion of the county and has named three suspects. The Sheriff’s Office is also warning citizens to take extra precautions to prevent becoming a victim. Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating Broderick Darrnell Willis, 18, of Flint, Payton Joseph Raymond, 19, of Flint, and Austin Michael Drain, 19, of Tyler. Willis is wanted on a $75,000 warrant for theft of a firearm; Raymond is wanted on a $100,000 warrant for burglary of a habitation; and Drain is wanted on a $75,000 warrant for burglary of a habitation. Judge Carole Clark of the 321st District Court issued the warrants.

Over the past three weeks, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division has responded to approximately 15 burglaries, many of them auto burglaries, in the Running Meadows Addition in Flint, and on Farm Road 2493 and Farm Road 2813. According to a news release, most of the burglaries are occurring between 3:00pm and the early morning hours of the following day.

“We encourage everyone to remove all valuables from their vehicles, take the valuables inside their home, and lock their vehicles when not in use,” said Sheriff Larry Smith. “If a criminal cannot see anything of valuable in a vehicle, they are not likely to break into it.” The Sheriff’s Office reports that most of the items taken include purses, jewelry, credit/debit cards, guns and cash. If anyone has information regarding these burglaries, contact Detective Aaron Hinton at 903-590-2698, Smith County Dispatch at 903-566-6600 or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF.