Anonymous Tip Leads Cops To Stolen Weapons

WILLS POINT—Anonymous tips to Wills Point police on Wednesday morning resulted in the recovery of stolen weapons and a felony arrest of a Canton man.

At approximately 10:25 a.m., police officer Brandon Corbett and sergeant Kelly Patrick approached a white Chevrolet Cavalier in the 300 block of Broadmore Ave. due to suspicious activity.

Further investigation revealed that the occupant of the vehicle, Joel Bryant, 21, Canton, held active warrants for probation revocation, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and burglary of a building.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a high-caliber assault rifle, three shotguns and a 30/30 rifle, as well as a laptop computer and several electronic gaming systems. Some of the firearms recovered were later reported stolen.

The information was shared with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, which may be able to connect some of the weapons to other home invasions. Terrell police have also confirmed that the vehicle Bryant was in was taken without permission.

Bryant is being held without bond at the Van Zandt County Jail. In addition to the warrants, he faces possible criminal charges for possession of stolen property, burglary of a habitation, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

"We believe that these weapons were being sold to other criminals in the area, and is the result of home burglaries around Wills Point, Canton and Myrtle Springs," said Corbett.

"We want to urge everyone to keep the make, model, photographs and serial numbers of all the firearms they own in a safe place," Corbett continued. "This information results in faster recovery and helps keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous offenders.

"It is also important to make a police report when a firearm becomes missing. This information is very important to the police department."