A Willis man faces a state jail felony charge after approximately $25,000 in copper wire was reported stolen from the World Champion Centre in Spring.
Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable Ryan Gable's office said detectives identified the suspect as Eric Stephen Townsend of Willis on Oct. 27 and charged him with theft of metal following an interview, according to Woodlands Online. Townsend was booked into the Montgomery County Jail.
The theft was reported Oct. 19 at the gymnastics facility at 28865 Birnham Wood Drive, near the Grand Parkway and Birnham Woods Drive intersection. Gable's patrol division responded to the call.
The suspect allegedly shut off power to the facility to reach the copper wire, according to the constable's office.
Precinct 3 detectives reviewed surveillance footage of the suspect and his vehicle, then used license plate reader cameras to identify and locate the vehicle. That investigative work led them to Townsend eight days after the reported theft.
The World Champion Centre is a gymnastics academy owned by the family of Olympic champion Simone Biles. The facility opened to the public in May 2016.
Under Texas law, theft of copper can be charged as a state jail felony. Townsend has not been convicted and is presumed innocent.
Residents with information about copper theft or other property crimes in the Spring area can contact the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable's Office.
