TYLER, Texas — Two people were arrested and more are expected to face charges after the Smith County Sheriff's Office investigated a series of thefts.
After they were found in a vehicle Monday afternoon, Nigel Harris, 56, and Aineda Johnson, 58, both of Tyler, were booked in on outstanding warrants for drug-related offenses.
Harris is in the Smith County Jail on a possession of a controlled substance charge and a parole violation. Johnson was booked into the jail on a possession of a controlled substance. Harris' bond is at $150,000, while Johnson's bond is at $30,000, according to the sheriff's office.
SCSO said Whitehouse police officers were called about a theft at the Dollar General, located at 701 Highway 110 South in Whitehouse. After officers arrived at the scene, the suspects drove away in a black Nissan Titan pickup. About 20 minutes later, deputies were called to the Dollar General, located at 18903 FM 2493 in Flint, about a theft.
Deputies determined the thefts involved the same man and woman who entered the store, filled their carts with items and left the store, the SCSO said.
After monitoring radio traffic regarding these thefts, Smith County investigators found the suspect vehicle near the intersection of Claude Street and Confederate Ave. in Tyler. Three people were identified in the vehicle, including Harris and Johnson.
Smith County Sheriff's Office investigators believe Harris, Johnson and others have been involved in multiple thefts in Bullard, Tyler, Whitehouse and other areas of Smith County.
Additional charges are expected within the next few days for several suspects as the investigation continues.