A Spring-area truck owner who spotted his stolen tailgate listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace helped deputies with Constable Mark Herman's office bust a theft ring, recover eight tailgates and arrest two men on FM 1960 West.

The victim called Precinct 4 deputies on Saturday, Aug. 15, after recognizing his tailgate in a Marketplace listing, according to Click2Houston, citing the constable's office. He had already arranged to meet the seller at a designated location on FM 1960 West in northwest Harris County.

Deputies took over from there.

When they arrived at the meeting spot, they identified the seller as Carl Thomas. Thomas tried to run. Deputies deployed a Taser and apprehended him quickly, according to the constable's office. A second man, Cornelius Hawkins, was also detained at the scene.

Investigators then executed a search warrant and recovered the victim's tailgate along with seven others, bringing the total to eight stolen tailgates seized. The constable's office did not release the specific location where the search warrant was served.

Thomas was booked into the Harris County Jail on outstanding warrants and a theft charge. His bond on the theft charge was set at $5,000. Hawkins was also charged with theft, with bond set at $100.

Herman's office announced the operation on its official @Pct4Constable account on Tuesday, Aug. 18, four days after the sting, and issued a pointed safety warning alongside the announcement.

The office urged residents who discover stolen property listed for sale online not to confront suspected thieves themselves. Instead, residents should contact law enforcement immediately and provide details about the listing so deputies can coordinate a safe recovery. The warning reflects a broader concern that arranging Marketplace meetups with unknown sellers can put victims at risk of violence or retaliation.

No follow-up court dates for Thomas or Hawkins have been announced.