Police seized 50 marijuana plants while responding to an incident on Sue Ann Drive. If each of the plants had reached harvest stage, the total estimated value would be $76,500, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. LPD investigators also recently solved a number of burglary cases that were unrelated to the drug incident. COURTESY OF LAMPASAS POLICE DEPARTMENT The Lampasas Police Department has arrested several suspects in connection with multiple unrelated sets of alleged burglaries.

In addition, police have arrested suspects in several unrelated recent drug, theft and criminal mischief incidents.

Burglaries, allegedly committed by groups acting independently of one another, occurred recently at Lampasas Middle School, the Hancock Springs Hostess House, the Hancock Park Free-Flow Swim Area’s concession building, Hanna Springs Swimming Pool and the former Medina’s restaurant building at 311 E. Third St.

The middle school was burglarized twice: once on July 27 and another time at some point before July 26. Stolen items include a flat-screen television, DVD players, desktop and laptop computers, gym bags and clothing, miscellaneous items from teachers’ desks and a full set of school keys.

Between July 19 and July 20, the Hanna Springs pool, the former Medina’s restaurant, the Hancock Pool snack building and numerous vehicles on Sunset, Hollywood and Hillcrest streets were burglarized. Food was stolen from both pools as well as from the Medina’s building, where liquor also was taken. A firearm, a knife, money and miscellaneous items were stolen from the vehicles.

In addition, three bicycle thefts were reported in the area where the vehicle burglaries occurred.

Also, the Hostess House lost food, liquor and other assorted property during an early-morning burglary July 15. Another burglary occurred at the Hostess House May 29, and a third recent incident — which had not been reported — was discovered during investigations.

Lampasas Police Department investigators Charlie Boswell and Jody Cummings last Friday completed investigations of the middle school, Medina’s and Hanna Springs pool burglaries. Alijahs Guckian, 18, of Lampasas was arrested for alleged involvement in three burglaries. Blas Gonzales III, 17, of Lampasas was arrested and charged with participating in two burglaries, and Rene’ Ortiz, 19, of Lampasas was arrested and charged in connection with one alleged burglary.

In addition, a 14-year-old female was referred to the Lampasas County Juvenile Probation Department in connection with one of the burglaries. Several gym bags with clothing were recovered, as were the flat-screen TV, computer monitors, DVD players, laptop computers and some miscellaneous items.

The investigation continues, and other arrests are possible, according to a police department news release.

Boswell — a sergeant investigator — and Sgt. Investigator Tim Ryan resolved the Hancock pool and Hostess House incidents last week, and referred several teenagers to the Lampasas Juve- nile Probation Department.

A 15-year-old female faces one felony charge of burglary in connection with the Hostess House incidents and one misdemeanor criminal mischief charge for allegedly breaking the window of the snack building at the Hancock pool.

In addition, a 14-year-old male was referred on one burglary charge, and a 15-year-old male was referred for two counts of burglary.

Investigators intend to refer another male juvenile to the probation department for allegedly burglarizing the pool concession stand and the Hostess House.

As a result of the investigations, some property was recovered and will be returned to the Green Frog restaurant owner.

Ryan and Boswell also recently concluded the four reported vehicle burglary cases and three bike thefts. The stolen firearm and three bikes were recovered.

Branden Michael Tengler and Travis Dale Voigt, both 18-yearolds from Lampasas, each were charged with the state jail felony offense of theft of a firearm, as well as the Class B misdemeanor of theft of a bike. One other arrest is expected for the firearm theft.

Not long after his arrest in Lampasas, Voigt — along with Lampasans Dustin Howard, 24, and David Coleman, 19 — was arrested and taken to the Bell County Jail on charges of “burglary habitation intend other felony,” the ABC news station KXXV reported July 27. Voigt and the other men allegedly broke into a Killeen home in the 3400 block of Victoria Circle about 3:30 a.m. July 25. They allegedly accused two men in the home of stealing a cell phone, and one victim’s front teeth reportedly were knocked out during the dispute, according to the story on kxxv.com.

After the recent Lampasas burglaries and thefts, a domestic disturbance July 30 at 55 Sue Ann resulted in one drug-related arrest, with a second arrest expected.

When they arrived at the residence, Cpl. Jase Herring and officer Jeremy Stewart detected marijuana and notified Boswell and Cummings. Officers gathered 50 marijuana plants — ranging from one inch to three feet tall — that were growing in the lower level of the split-level house. They also recovered a small amount of methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia.

Renee Gwaltney, 39, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana over four ounces but less than five pounds — a state jail felony offense — and state jail felony possession of a controlled substance less than one ounce. Both charges were enhanced to third-degree felonies because they occurred in a drugfree zone.

An arrest warrant will be served on an adult male for possession of marijuana over four ounces but less than five pounds in a drugfree zone.

Also recently, Boswell completed his investigation of a criminal mischief incident that happened July 16, when a sport utility vehicle parked at the Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce allegedly was scratched with a rock, causing about $3,400 in damage, Police Chief Tim Angermann said. A 14-year-old male was referred to juvenile probation.

The recent events were unusual, Angermann said, in that the suspects in these incidents did not appear to have any connection to one another. Often, when Lampasas police investigate multiple burglaries that occur soon after one another, investigators learn the suspects began as one group and later branched off, Assistant Chief Sammy Bailey said.

Police officers Steve Sheldon and Matt Boswell took most of — if not all — the initial reports, Angermann said in the press release. The officers also aided Ms. Bailey, Lt. Investigator Jody Cummings, Boswell and Ryan with the investigations.

“I want to thank the officers for all the work they did — a lot of hours, a lot of time,” Angermann said. “It’s a lot of stress on you -- lot of pressure -- and it takes time and dedication to solve this. These officers and investigators have gone above and beyond.

“This sends a message to the public,” the chief added. “If you’re going to do the crime ... you better be looking over your shoulder, because we’re coming for you.”