HPD: City workers charged for alleged sale of stolen copper

HOUSTON Eyewitness News first brought you the story earlier this month when city workers who were supposed to be doing their jobs instead were accused of cashing in by using city property. Now police have indicted 16 city of Houston workers in the case.

Police say on January 18, investigators got information that employees with the Houston Public Works and Engineering Department were allegedly selling copper to Latino's Scrap Yard at 306 East Mount Houston.

They opened an investigation, and through surveillance, discovered two city employees unload several pounds of copper and brass from a city truck to sell it to the scrap yard.

As the investigation went on, police say the suspects also sold copper stolen from the following locations while employees of the City of Houston:

• 718 East Burress
• 2700 Dalton
• 7101 Renwick
• 5900 Teague

Houston police have arrested seven of 16 suspects charged in the case. The following seven suspects are in custody and charged with felony theft by a public servant: Charles Bernard Davis, 52; Braulio Arroyo, 64; Frank Jerome Johnson, 32; Raymond Esparza, 59; Quincy Jones, 38; Bobby Earl Price, 24; and Arthur Samuel, 42.

Two other suspects, Terry Whiting, 45; and Robert Fitzgerald White, 42, are charged with felony theft by a public servant and have turned themselves in and posted bond. Two additional suspects -- Seferino Rios, 43; and Stephen Segundo, 41; are also charged with felony theft by a public servant and remain at large, but are expected to turn themselves in.

Five additional suspects are charged with misdemeanor theft by public servant charges and police say arrest warrants are being processed. Those suspects are Robert Earl Holme, 50; Reuben Lawrence Jackson, 57; Antwine Walter, 36; Preston Dewayne Gillins, 39; and Tony Tramaine Gordwin, 28.

Police say the suspects have admitted to their involvement in their respective cases. Anyone with additional information in these cases is asked to call the Houston Police Department Burglary and Theft Division Metal Theft Unit at 713-308-0900.