Brownwood News – The Early Police Department issued a statement regarding a recent arrest of a suspected car thief who had taken a white 2013 Dodge dually and an orange 1998 Dodge pickup from a car lot in Early in late January.

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On Thursday, February 1st, the Early Police Department received information on the possible location of one of the two stolen pickups that were removed from a car lot in the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 31st, from the 500 block of Early Boulevard. Early Police Officers located a white 2013 Dodge Dually on Lewis Street on the west side of Brownwood. The pickup had some body damage and a suspect had begun painting the bumpers with a different color in an attempt to hide the identity of the pickup.

Detective Brandon McMillian began following leads on possible suspects for several days. On Monday, officers located a storage building near Belle Plain with paint supplies and other evidence after receiving a tip that the 1998 Dodge pickup had been painted in that storage building a few days earlier.

On Tuesday, January 6th, Detective McMillian and Brownwood Police Detective Brian Rice were following leads on the stolen pickup possibly related to a Brownwood case when they located the orange 1998 Dodge pickup at a residence on Hillsboro Street. The pickup had been painted black, but was identified by VIN numbers. Officers also located a suspect identified in the release as Jamith Bert Fraser, pictured at top.

Fraser was arrested on outstanding warrants. During the course of his arrest, officers located a small amount of methamphetamine on his person. Fraser was later questioned about the incident and confessed to breaking into the car lot and taking the two vehicles. Fraser was booked into the Brown County Jail on charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of a Controlled Substance, as well as five outstanding warrants.

The Early Police Department reports that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are to be expected.

UPDATE: On Wednesday, February 7th, at approximately 3 p.m., officers with the Early Police Department and Brownwood Police Department arrested Dustin Aaron Hubbard, 32 year old male, from Brownwood, on charges of Burglary of a Building and 2 charges of Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle. Officers also served additional warrants on Jamith Fraser for Burglary of Building and an additional charge of Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle. Hubbard was arrested at his home on North Main Boulevard in Brownwood. While searching the Hubbard residence, officers located a key that they believed fit the 2013 Dodge pickup.