Shoe print aids police in nabbing alleged burglar
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

Officer awareness is being credited with catching an alleged burglar less than two hours after he struck a pair of Wharton businesses.

Had officers not been on the ball, "it could easily have been two more unsolved burglaries," said Detective Grady Smith of the Wharton Police Department.

Police believe the break-ins - at Texas Optical Center, 201 E. Boling Highway, and Farrah's Mini Mart on FM 102 - are related.

They occurred sometime between 11:30 p.m. Wednesday and 1:30 a.m. Thursday. In both cases, front doors had been broken open.

Officer Jeremy Eder was on patrol in Eastgate Plaza early Thursday and noticed the front glass door of the optical shop had been smashed.

A large chunk of concrete was found nearby.

Over $3,000 worth of prescription eyeglass frames was missing.

This is not the first time the business has fallen victim to crime.

"It had been burglarized several months back. It's one we've been keeping an eye on," Smith said. While waiting for back-up, Eder noticed a vehicle "creeping along" from the east side of the shopping center, near Quick Fit and Payless Shoesource, Smith said.

The car appeared as if it were about to stop, but then, as it came into view of the police officer, quickly turned around and headed toward Diamond Shamrock.

Other officers arrived and stopped the car, which was occupied by three men.

Police allege the car's owner, 21-year-old Hungerford resident Aaron Joseph Mowels, had been drinking.

It was unclear, though, who was actually driving the vehicle. Mowels was arrested for public intoxication.

While he was being transported to the Wharton County Jail, a second burglary report came in. A newspaper delivery person had apparently noticed a broken front door at Farrah's Mini Mart on FM 102.

Officer Don Chaney was the first officer on the scene. After checking the store, he noticed a shoe print on the Plexiglas panel of the door.

Police retrieved a shoe from Mowels at the county jail and took it back to the scene.

"It is an exact match," Smith alleged.

Over $700 had been stolen from the service station's cash register, police said.

Smith said videotapes were reviewed and fingerprint evidence was taken from the businesses.

Mowels was charged with two counts of burglary of a building. He remained in jail as of Thursday evening. Bond had not yet been set.

Police do not believe he acted alone, however.

"Additional arrests are expected," Smith said.

Smith credited Eder, Chaney and Officer Richard Cruz with "excellent police work" in making an arrest so quickly.