2 jailed for buying bike with bogus bills

GONZALES — Two people have been arrested and charged in connection with the theft of a motorcycle via counterfeit cash that occurred scarcely a month ago. A local law enforcement official said the arrests came after Greater Gonzales County Crime Stoppers received a tip about the incident.

On June 14, the Gonzales Police Dept. received a report of a motorcycle theft that was “purchased” using counterfeit money. Investigator Jason Montoya spoke with the victims of the theft, who informed him that two subjects — a man and a woman — gave them $2,600 in counterfeit cash in exchange for the bike, Chief Tim Crow reported.

An investigation conducted by Investigator Jason Montoya along with Capt. Allen Taylor developed leads that led to the issuance of arrest warrants for Marcus Glenn Neeley, 26, and Justyn Davis, 26, both of Shiner, by County Judge David Bird.

“A search warrant was issued for the residence of Marcus Neeley and Justyn Davis on FM 533 in Lavaca County,” Crow said. “The search warrant was executed on July 17 at the suspects’ home with the assistance of the Gonzales County Attorney’s Office, the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, the Shiner Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service out of San Antonio.”

Crow said that during the search, stolen property was recovered from a separate incident (burglary) in Gonzales County. Evidence and property from the theft of the motorcycle, methamphetamine, marijuana, an undetermined amount of cash and a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox were seized.

Taylor and Investigator John Brumme with the Gonzales County Attorney’s office later recovered the motorcycle in Bastrop County where it was being stored. Neeley and Davis were taken to GPD, and later booked into the Gonzales County Jail.

“We are continuing our investigation into the origin of the counterfeit money and have developed promising leads,” Crow said. “We urge anyone who has information regarding the suspects who are manufacturing the counterfeit money to contact Greater Gonzales County Crime Stoppers at 830-672-8477 or the Gonzales Police Department at 830-672-8686.”

Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest or grand jury indictment of the person(s) involved in felony crimes. To date, investigators have received vital information in all three incidents that have been featured in Greater Gonzales County Crime Stoppers Crime of the Week program. The group is also offering a reward for information that leads to the person(s) involved in the manufacturing or storage of counterfeit money.