Published: June 05, 2007 11:34 pm      

Navasota man arraigned in felony theft case

A former Commerce resident has pleaded not guilty to a charge of felony theft, after having been accused of stealing a wide variety of items from sites in two counties between late February and late March.

Gary Lynn Carey, 41, who currently lists an address in Navasota in Grimes County, was indicted by the Hunt County grand jury in April on one count of theft of property of the value of $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000, by aggregate amount.

He was arraigned Tuesday in the 196th District Court. Judge Joe Leonard scheduled an interim hearing date for July 3.

Carey is alleged in the indictment of stealing an aluminum panel; a boat, motor and trailer; a 30-foot gooseneck trailer and a recreational vehicle.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Commerce Police Department, Carey was taken into custody on outstanding warrants from Brazos and Burleson counties on March 23, where he was questioned by officers about reports of stolen property from in and around the Commerce area.

The officers discovered Carey living inside the 1998 Holiday Rambler — which had been reported stolen from Commerce on Feb. 25 — as it was parked in the 1100 block of O’Neal in Commerce.

The officers said Carey admitted taking the gooseneck trailer from a manufacturing yard in Caddo Mills on March 12, which he used to transport an 8-foot by 16-foot aluminum panel which Carey allegedly removed from a construction site next to the trailer on March 23. Carey allegedly confessed to selling the panel, which was worth more than $10,000, at New Phoenix Metals in Greenville for $1,064.

According to the complaint, Carey also confessed to stealing the 2001 Mariah boat, motor and trailer from a location in Wylie on March 20. All three were also found at the O’Neal Street location.

The charge Carey is facing is a third-degree felony, punishable by a maximum sentence upon conviction of two to 10 years in prison and an optional fine of up to $10,000.